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Polk County, Florida. 



" Let us go where the wild flowers bloom, 
Amid the sweet dews of the night, 

Where the orange dispels its perfume, 
And the rose-bud speaks of love and of light. 



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PRICE, 25 CENTS. 



HOMELAND; 



A DESCRIPTION 



OF THE 



Climate, Productions, Resources, Topography, Soil, 
Opportunities, Attractions, Advantages, Devel- 
opment AND General Characteristics 



OF 



POLK COUNTY, 



zpxjOiRinD^^ 



By SHERMAN ADAMS. 



1885. 
TI<3-IsrEI2,, TJ^TTJlVn & C O HVE 1= J^ 3^ "Z" , 



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Printed at The Times -Union Book Rooms, Jacksonville, Fla 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the Year 188.5, 

By SHERMAN ADAMS, 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. 



. Editors of newspapers are authorized to make extracts from this worli, without det- 
riment, if proper credit be given. 
Orlando, Fla., July 4, 18S.5. SHERMAN ADAMS. 






HOMELAND. 



The desirability of a home in this fair, fertile, balmy, healthful and 
progressive interior section of South Florida, in Polk County, where cold 
and stormy winter never enters; where plenty abounds, enlivened 
with bright and soul-cheering sunshine, fragrant and healthful breezes, 
overflowing with the balsamic aroma of the majestic pine forests and 
the perfume of countless flowers ; the attractions and advantages of a 
home in Homeland will be considered in these pages. 

Here can be made the true Homeland, for which the human 
race has ever sought. Here can be realized humanity's brightest 
dreams of an Eden upon earth, with no tempter serpent to awaken 
unholy desires, nor flaming sword to prevent the full enjoyment of the 
choicest delights that can be appreciated by the most refined, virtuous, 
intelligent and contented people, that may here make for themselves 
the rnost pleasant and delightful of homes. 

In Homeland every one can sit beneath the shade of his or her 
own vine, fig and orange tree, with none to molest or make afraid, 
while bounteous plenty, like a fair and loving goddess, pours the con- 
tents of her overflowing cornucopias at their feet; the choicest products 
of the temperate and semi-tropic zones. 

Here gaunt and ravenous want is unknown ; pinched and shiver- 
ing poverty has noplace; fell disease is shorn of its most virulent 
power ; flowers bloom all the year ; fruits and vegetables ripen at all 
seasons; the feathered songsters make the air melodious with their tune- 
ful notes of joy, love and praise; bright, sunshiny days impart bouy- 
ant health, strength and cheerful thoughts ; delicious breezes, im- 
pregnated Avith the balsamic healing of the pine, and the quickening 
and inspiriting odors of delicious flowers refresh and soothe ; the cool, 
tranquil softness of the nights invites to calm, grateful, restful, life- 
renewing repose ; the days are warm, but tempered by fresh and genial 
breezes ; while the mornings and evenings are inexpressibly delicious, 
calm and mild, possessing a rare inherent charm, that once experienced 
is never forgotten, though it cannot be adequately described. 



POLK COUNTY. 



THE eyfs of the whole world are directed towards Florida as never 
before, the interest growing rapidly with each succeeding year. 
Tired of cold, inclement winter,tired of the hard sti'uggleto keep the wolf 
from the door, disappointed in hopes and expectations of securing 
either a competence or wealth, wearied in mind by continuous ex- 
haustive effort, imbued with a strong desire to secure a fortune, or, en- 
feebled in body by the diseases so prevalent in various sections of the 
country, peoi^le everywhere are desirous to make a change for the 
better. 

Reports, faint and few at first, and more than counterbalanced by 
those of an opposite character, have, for the past few years, been heard 
from Florida, from the land where, more than three centuries ago, nota- 
ble Spaniards sought health — a fountain of eternal youth — and others 
sought wealth — the glistening yellow gold. Both are to be secured in 
this fair and balmy land, if rightly sought. The truth of the mes- 
sage, " Seek and ye shall find," can here be realized by all truly earn- 
est souls. 

The better reports have grown stronger and more numerous from 
year to year, until at the present time there are few sections of the 
Union that have no representatives in lately despised and bitterly-ma- 
ligned Florida, Thousands have here secured restored health, and 
other thousands have gained fortunes, or at least a satisfying compe- 
tence, as well as health. 

Consequently, diligent inquiry and earnest effort is being made by 
the more energetic people of all classes, in all sections, to learn the ex- 
act facts with regard to this delectable land of sunshine and balmy 
breezes. " Are the good rejiorts true regarding Florida ? " is the earnest 
and oft-repeated inquiry. 

This question , and many others, it will be the endeavor of this pamph- 
let to answer as regards Polk County, an interior section of the delight- 
ful South Florida peninsula that its residents, as well as the rapidly in- 
creasing number of visitors, consider the very choicest and most de- 
sirable locality that the whole world affords. Its lauds are fertile, its 
waters are pure and abundant, it is noted for its healthfulness, its cli- 
mate is the most delicious that can anywhere be found, its surface is 
diversified with hill and dale, meadow and plain, numerous lovely clear- 
water lakes reflect the bright sunshine, while their banks afford delight- 
ful building sites ; here are running streams of sparkling water; here 
you can listen to the mocking bird to your heart's content, or watch 



6 HOMELAND. 

them in their sportive glee; sturdy oak as well as beautiful pine and 
other trees abound on the uplands, while along the courses of the numer- 
ous streams are hickories, oak of several varieties, maple, gum, cypress, 
wild orange, cabbage palm, whitewood, magnolia and other varieties 
too numerous to mention. The surface of hill, plain and valley is cov- 
ered with vigorous luxuriant native grasses, as well as beautiful trees ; 
the numerous lakes and streams are well stocked vith fish, turtle, etc.; 
cattle, swine and sheep thrive on its fertile ranges, in winter as Avell as 
in summer ; sheep raising is found to be very profitable ; poultry 
thrive and give quick returns ; honey is abundant, bees increasing rap- 
idly and laying up large stores ; the growing of corn is more profitable 
than in the far West ; sweet potatoes, pease, rice, sugar-cane, cassava, 
etc., are staple crops ; all the citrus and many other semi-tropical 
fruits grow vigorously and produce abundantly ; garden vegetables give 
immense returns ; all kinds of industries thrive; new settlers are lo- 
cating rapidly ; the residents are eminently sociable and hospitable, 
kindly welcoming new comers ; numerous business and social centres 
are already established, with churches, schools, stores, etc.; well regu- 
lated railroads give close and continuous connection with the roads of 
the whole country ; other roads will soon be built, and the present 
roads be further extended ; desirable locations abound, and lands can 
now be purchased at moderate prices, but are rapidly increasing in 
value ; the roads are hard and firm, as well as free from mud or dust; 
snow is unknown and frost is rare ; the country is exempt from cy- 
clones, tornadoes, electrical storms and destructive winds, it being in a 
neutral zone, where it is impossible for such storms to enter. Many 
other pleasing and attractive characteristics might be mentioned, but I 
desire to be brief 

LOCATION OF POLK COUNTY. 

•■' But," says the reader, "where is this wonderful land, this health- 
ful, productive, attractive and charming County of Polk?" 

It is located near the centre of the Florida peninsula, which is 
destined to be the most populous and wealthy, as well as the most en- 
joyable and desirable })art of the known Avorld. It lies mostly be- 
tween the twenty-seventh and the twenty-eighth parallels of north lati- 
tude, and east of the eighty-second degree of longitude, an area that 
Judge J. G. Knapp, a prominent and well informed writer on Florida, 
designates as the Central Zone. It is, in fact, the "golden mean" be- 
tween extremes that is so sincerely desired and earnestly sought. 

ELEVATION. 

Polk County has no high mountains, but a broad plateau of high 
land extends through it, near the centre, from north to south, the road- 
bed of the South Florida Railroad at Haines City reaching an eleva- 
tion of 210 feet, about the same elevation being maintained at Lake- 
land, some twenty-five miles to the west. Some of the hills are still 
higher, being from forty to sixty feet above the surface of some of the 
lakes. 

FRESH WATER LAKES. 

An incomparable charm is given to the surface of the country by 
the hundreds, if not thousands, of lovely clear water lakes, many of 



• HOMELAND. 7 

them with attractive shores that afford delightful residence sites, that 
are scattered promiscuously over the face of the county. They are the 
most numerous, however, just north and northeast of the centre of the 
county, forming the far-famed Lake Region of Polk. In size they 
differ greatly, varying from one acre to five thousand acres in extent. 
On the eastern border of the county are the great Lakes Tohopeka- 
liga. Cypress and Kissimmee, with respective elevations of 64.5, 62 and 
59.66 feet above the sea level. South of Lake Cypress, in Township 
28, Range XXIX, is Lake Hatch-e-ne-haw, with an elevation of 60.23 
feet. In Township 29, Lake Rosalie, in Townships 30 and 31, Lake 
Walk-in-the- Water, 61.94 feet above the sea. Also, Lake Arbuckle, in 
Township 32. 

WATER-COURSES. 

The Kissimmee River, a broad and navigable stream, forms the 
eastern boundary of the county, separating it from Brevard and con- 
necting the three great lakes first mentioned. Arbuckle Creek con- 
nects a series of lakes to the west. By cutting connecting channels 
the Drainage Company has made navigation practicable through lakes 
and river to the Caloosahatchie River, and through that to the Gulf of 
Mexico. The result has also been the drainage of large quantities of 
overflowed lands. In fact, the configuration of Polk County is such, 
and its elevation so considerable, that portions needing it can be easily 
drained, it being highest in the centre. 

Peace River, which has its source in Lake Hamilton and its trib- 
utaries in the north-eastern portion of the county. Range XXVII, runs 
in a southwest course to Range XXV, Township 29, where it is aug- 
mented by the waters from Lake Hancock, flowing through Saddle 
Creek. It then continues southward in Range XXV. It could be 
made navigable the whole distance at a moderate expense, and un- 
doubtedly will be in the near future, a charter having been secured for 
the purpose. 

Tiger Creek and Arbuckle River, in the eastern part of Polk 
County, connect the series of large lakes found there with the Kissim- 
mee River, and are being made navigable, which will give excellent fa- 
cilities ip the matter of transportation, and aid greatly in the develop- 
ment of that attractive section. 

The Alafiaand Hilisboro' Rivers and their branches intersect and 
drain the fine lands in the western part of the county. It was among 
the headwaters of these rivers that the first settlements were made in 
the county some forty years since, Tampa, in Hilisboro' County being 
the seaport and trading headquarters. Polk County is well watered 
by numerous creeks and streams of pure running water. 

THE GOVERNMENT SURVEY. 

Referring to the survey made by the General Government, it will 
be seen that Polk County extends north and south through Townships 
25 to 32, inclusive. At the south it is included in Ranges XXIII to 
XXXI, while the northwestern corner that projects up to the west- 
ern border of Orange and into Sumter County is included in Ranges 
XXII to XX VI. The area of the county is 2,060 square miles or 
1,388,400 acres. 



8 HOMELAND. 

CONFIGURATION OF THE COUNTRY. 

A comprehensive, or bird's-eye, view of Polk County shows it to be 
divided by nature into strips-of a few miles wide, extending in a north- 
erly and southerly direction. Near the centre, from east to west, is 
evidently the finest, most attractive and productive strip of country; 
at all events, here are the most improvements and much the greater 
portion of the population. 

Lakeland, Acton, Auburndale and Sanataria, on the South Flor- 
ida Railroad, some fourteen to sixteen miles in a northerly direction 
from Bartow, the county seat, are active and thriving new towns, the 
growth of the past year. To the north of them for a number of miles 
is a fine high country that will soon be develoi)ed, as the Florida South- 
ern Railroad passes through it from north to south, forming' a junc- 
tion with the South Florida at Lakeland. To the South, fourteen 
miles to Bartow, six to the Bethel neighborhood, six more to Fort 
Meade, and a few miles beyond to the southern boundary, is a very 
notable strij) of high j)iue and oak land from three to five miles wide. 
On this are many clearings, cultivated fields, fruitful groves, pleasant 
and even elegant residences, and three busy, rapidly-growing towns, 
Lakeland, Bartow and Fort Meade, with churches, schools, hotels, 
stores of varied kinds, public halls, post-ofiices, exjiress and telegraph 
ofiioe.^. The first two have railroad depots and the other doubtless 
will have in a short time. 

This central, well developed strip of country lies to the west of 
Peace River. To the east is another apparently equally choice strip of 
land extending through the county ; but as yet, however, thinly pop- 
ulated, there being neither post-office nor store. At short intervals on 
either side of Peace River are creeks, or rivulets, that empty into it the 
drainage of these fertile side lands, hammock at first, but gradually 
rising to productive oak and pine lands, then less fertile pine edged by 
a strip of varying width of a flat-woods character, interspersed with 
bays, cypress swamps, grass ponds, etc. 

The northwestern portion of the county may be considered as a 
sej^arate division by itself, as Judge Knapp does with the northwest- 
ern part of the State. Its characteristics are those of Hernando and 
Sumter rather than of Polk proper, the bulk of which lies below the 
28° of latitude, while this projection of four ranges, between four and 
five townships in depth, is north of that line. Consequently, it is in 
the North Central, instead of the Central Zone, according to the very 
convenient division of the State of Florida by Judge J. G. Knapp into 
the Northwestern, the Northern, the North Central, the Central (in 
the northern part of which the most of Polk county is situated), the 
South Central, the Southern, the Semi-Tropical and the Tropical 
Zones, each of which, with the exception of those at the extreme north 
and south of the State, occupy a full degree of latitude. 

This "baker's dozen" of townships contains considerable quanti- 
ties of excellent land. There are also many ponds, cypress swamps, 
flat lands, etc., especially on the eastern half adjoining Orange county, 
which, by some freak of the law-makers here, adds a half dozen town- 
ships to its southwestern portion. It is certainly high time for a change 
in the State Constitution, that the boundaries of a number of the coun- 
ties may be revised. 



HOMELAND. 9 

Along the western border of the county, expecially in the south- 
western portion, and also along the eastern, the lands are of a flat- 
woods character, a rim of which virtually extends around the county. 
The soil is mostly fertile and there are numerous knolls, or bruken 
ridges, that supply excellent sites for buildings, groves and cultivated 
fields, while the lower lands afford nutritious grazing for fine herds of 
cattle, swine, etc. These opportunities are being improved and the 
residences of farmers and cattle-men are well scattered over the whole 
county, especially in the western section. 

THE LAKE REGION. 

North of Bartow, in Range XXV, Township 27, the beautiful 
Lake Region proper commences and extends in an east and southeast 
direction through Polk to the centre of the eastern portion of Manatee 
County, which is situated in the southern part of the delightful Central 
Zone. There is also a group of fine lakes in Range XXIV, Townships 
27 to 29. The drainage of the whole eastern part of the county tends 
to the great Lake Okeechobee, from which the Drainage Company is 
cutting canals to Gulf and Ocean, thus insuring the drainage of an 
extensive tract of country. 

That which is designated as the Lake Region proper lies to the 
northeast of Bartow, beautiful sheets of water being here grouped 
very thickly together. The South Florida Railroad passes through 
the heart of the lake system, and new towns are springing up as if by 
magic. The more important thus far are Haines City, Bartow Junc- 
tion and Winter Haven, which, though of the present year's growth, 
are developing very rapidly, the chief attractions being the rare 
beauty and healthful salubrity of the country. The soil, though not 
as fertile as in the exceptionally fine strips of productive country on 
either side of Peace River from Bartow to Fort Meade, which is the 
most desirable that can be found in Florida, is nevertheless well 
adapted to citrus fruits. Along the margins of the lakes and small 
streams are many tracts of very fertile land well adapted to the 
profitable production of all kinds of vegetables for market, the numer- 
ous sheets of water being a good guarantee of protection against frost. 
Strawberries, pine-apples, bananas, etc., also succeed well in these 
sheltered localities. Judging from present indications, but a short 
time will pass before this whole lovely region will be very thickly 
populated. 

LAKE HAMILTON TO LAKE ARBUCKLE. 

Going southeastward from Haines City, we find a high ridge of 
land several miles in width, uith lovely lakes to the east and to the 
west. This has been so unfavorably situated as regards transportation 
that almost the entire surface is yet covered with the primeval forest. 
Settlers are pouring in there, however ; railroads will soon follow, and 
an entire transformation will be wrought in a very few years, while 
the hardy pioneers will have secured fortunes. Even now a railroad 
is projected from Haines City to Rosalie, a new and vigorous town on 
the lake of the same name. Steamers run to this place from Kissim- 
mee, on Lake Tahopekaliga, and past here through the Drainage 



10 HOMELAND. 

Company's canals that connect the several lakes with the Caloosa- 
hatchie River and the Gulf of Mexico. Those who have traveled 
through the section, from Lake Hamilton on the north to Lake Ar- 
buckle at the southeast, are enraptured with the beauties of the high 
rolling country and the many advantages to be secured by the settler. 
There is little opportunity to obtain homesteads, as all the choicest 
tracts are already purchased or occupied. 

The flat lands between this delightful ridge and the Kissimmee 
Eiver are excellent for grazing, and when the Drainage Company shall 
have completed their operations, here will be found extensive and 
profitable fields of sugar cane, rice, etc. The cane fields at Rosalie 
are already giving wonderful returns. 

GREAT VARIETY. 

Unquestionably Polk County contains a gre^iter variety of soil 
and scenery than any other section of the State, thus aflfording some- 
thing almost sure to suit all tastes and desires, however varied. The 
diversity of vegetation is also very great, while the cultivatable crops 
embrace nearly every variety grown by civilized man in both the 
eastern and western hemispheres. The capabilities of the county are 
immense and the value of its products can be readily increased at 
least a thousand-fold by earnest and active intelligence. 

DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 

The chief source of wealth in the past, and an important industry 
at the present, is the raising of cattle for market, most of the business 
and professional men, except the later arrivals, having been " cow- 
boys " in their youth, their herds grazing not only in Polk County, 
but also far to the southward. This industry is now somewhat de- 
pressed in consequence of the closing of the Cuban market, from 
whence they have drawn large store of gold ; but the rapid increase 
of emigration into Polk County will afford some relief by the increased 
consumption here. 

Ponies are raised in moderate numbers, but the supply falls far 
short of the demand. Consequently the larger number of horses and 
mules are imported from other States. 

Sheep are not raised extensively as yet, but have been found to 
do well, giving excellent and profitable returns. 

Sw'iNE here find their paradise, the abundant " mast " furnished 
by the frequent oaks and the great quantities of esculent roots along 
the water courses giving them abundant food with little trouble. 

Poultry thrive here as in no other section of the Union. Broods 
of chickens are hatched every month in the year and grow rapidly, 
giving abundant returns. 

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS. 

Corn is an important crop and large quantities are raised for 
home use. Its grovvth secures to the cultivator more profit to the 
acre than is realized by the grower in the far AVest. The average 
yield is from ten to forty bushels per acre, according to the quality of 
the land. 



HOMELAND. * 11 

Field Pease are an easily-grown and jDrofitable crop, affording a 
large amount of sustenance for both man and beast. The seeds are 
especially excellent for poultry and the vines are greedily eaten by 
cattle. 

Rice yields bountifully both upon the uplands and the lowlands. 
The straw makes excellent forage. 

Sweet Potatoes are a standard crop and always find a ready 
market at good prices. The yield varies with the quality of the land, 
the preparation and the attention given, ranging from one hundred to 
five hundred bushels per acre. 

Cassava is also a very desirable and profitable crop, easily raised, 
and should be grown extensively. 

Sugar Cane gives excellent results. Fine fields of cane are 
quite common and profitable. 

Cotton of fine quality has been raised, the soil being adapted to 
its growth, but other products can be grown with so much more ease 
that it receives but little attention. 

Wheat, barley, buckwheat and some other grains are but little 
cultivated, though there seems to be no known reason why they would 
not do well if planted at the right time and given proper care. 

Oats have given excellent results at times, but are mostly grown 
as a forage 2rop and fed in the sheaf. 

Rye is attracting attention as a soiling crop, and can be grown 
extensively with profit. Sown in the fall, it will grow all winter, 
giving a very pleasant appearance to the fields as well as profit to the 
owner. 

The Peanut, or Pindar, here finds soil and climatic conditions 
very favorable and yields large returns. 

Chufas, a species of ground-nut, are very productive and are ex- 
cellent for promoting the growth and fattening of swine and poultry, 
who prize them highly and will help themselves whenever the oppor- 
tunity offer's. 

Field Beans are recommended as a sure crop, by high authority, 
if planted in June. 

Tobacco grows finely, but its culture is not advised, as it is a 
very exhaustive crop. 

Experiments should be made carefully and continuously with 
all known products. Some of the results will be agreeably surprising 
and profitable. 

THE GRASSES. 

Thfi natural grasses are so abundant and some of them are so nu- 
tritious that but little attention has been given to the cultivated. Crab 
grass springs up and grows luxuriantly in cultivated fields, and ought 
to be utilized for hay. A kind of blanket grass makes excellent pas- 
turage. The same is true of smut gfrass. Bermuda grass grows luxu- 
riantly, and a mixture of this with smut grass would undoubtedly 
make excellent pasturage. I have also seen fine specimens of red 
clover growing in a number of places. It might thrive on the firm 
lands of Polk County. Alfalfa ought to be given a thorough trial 
throughout the county, as it is a great favorite in California and is 
winning high esteem in the Southern States. It might be grown in 



12 HOMELAND. 

the orange groves, as its roots penetrate the suhsoil ; hence it would 
not be open to the objections urged against grasses that are surface 
feeders. St. Augustine grass has been highly recommended for lawns. 
The country seems naturally adapted to grasses, most of which, 
however, are too wiry when mature for fodder. There is no doubt 
but that by judicious care and attention good stands of cultivated 
grasses can be secured, and dairies be made numerous and profitable 
with as little trouble as in any part of the country. Every family 
can keep a cow, and there are no long cold winters to necessitate filling 
large barns with hay. They can be fed profitably with the large va- 
riety of green forage and root crops that here grow luxuriantly. 

GARDEN V^EGETABLES. 

Irish Potatoes give good returns. They are planted in the fall 
or winter and dug in the spring. 

Sweet Corn is a profitable crop, for which there is a good de- 
mand for home use as well as for shipment. Those who desire can 
have it on their tables from Christmas to the 4th of July. 

Melons, squashes, pumpkins, etc., grow to large size and produce 
abundantly. In fact, Polk County seems to be the native habitat for 
vines, as all kinds grow luxuriantly. 

Cucumbers, beans, tomatoes and cabbage are standard crops 
for shipment, and give large and profitable returns. 

Cabbage, cauliflower, and the like, find soil and climate especially 
adapted to their vigorous growth. 

Beets, turnips, carrots, parsnips, radishes, etc., here find favor- 
able and satisfactory conditions, and yield abundantly. 

Egg Plants, okra, lettuce, etc., do finely. 

Onions grow to a large size and are of excellent flavor. 

Pepper Plants grow to the size of small trees and yield abun- 
dantly from year to year, at all seasons, in winter as well as summer. 
They are ornamental as well as profitable. 

Herbs and plants for seasoning, as well as for medicinal uses, 
yield a supply for all needs with very little care and attention. 

Garden Vegetables, with hardly an exception, give excellent 
returns when planted at the proper season. They, as well as other 
plants, are benefited by watering, in the event of a drouth, which 
sometimes prevails in April or May. 

VARIED FRUITS. 

Strawberries are a luscious and delightful fruit, as well as 
profitable. They are peculiarly adapted to the soil and climate of 
Polk County, and ripe berries can be had every week from December 
to June. They are always in demand here, but can be shipped North 
at a time to secure the very higWist prices. 

The Fig does well and yields a good amount of pleasant and nu- 
tritious fruit 

Grapes grow wild in the hammocks, and may be cultivated with 
a good degree of success. 

Bananas grow vigorously and fruit well, the stalks attaining 
three feet to forty inches in circumference and twenty-five feet in height, 



HOMELAND 13 

with leaves from twenty to twenty-eight inches across and five to six 
feet in length. 

The Guava is a' favorite fruit that grows well and fruits abun- 
dantly in most localities, but, like the banana and pine-apple, is quite 
susce|)tible to the effects of frost. 

The Lime is an important fruit for extensive cultivation, but, 
like the guava, requires favorable localities as regards exemptioa 
from frost. It has been recommended for hedges as well as for fruit. 

PiNE-ArrLES may be profitably grown under the same condi- 
tions as the banana and guava, as regards exemption from frost, and 
will give very profitable returns. If grown in an exposed locality it 
would pay to give them protection in the event of probable frost, for 
there is no such thing as a frost line in Florida, though the low lati- 
tude of Polk County and the large numbers of lakes to the northward 
give the main body of the county exceptionably favorable conditions, 
superior to more northern localities ; yet, even here, much depends on 
the situation, which can only be learned by personal observation and 
experience. 

The Lemon grows well, and is destined to be a very profitable 
fruit. It is more hardy than the guava and the lime, but less so than 
the citron, grape-fruit or orange. The genuine Sicily is the variety 
preferred. 

The Citron, of which there are many varieties, has thus far 
been grown only for ornament, the proper mode of preparation for 
market being unknown ; but that difhculty is about being overcome, 
and its cultivation will no doubt be very profitable. 

The Grate-Fruit is the favorite for the spring-time, its extreme 
juiciness and sub-acid flavor making it very palatable and refreshing, 
as well as healthful. 

The Japan Plum and persimmon are destined to be important 
fruits, but their culture is yet in its infancy. 

The Peen-To and the Honey Peaches will no doubt become stand- 
ard fruits but attempts at cultivation are very recent. 

The Mulberry is of quick growth, makes a fine tree and yields 
an abundance of wholesome fruit. 

The Castor Bean, or Palma Christi, here grows to the size of a 
tree, and yields abundantly year after year. The making of castor 
oil promises to become a profitable industry. 

Experiments are being made with a great variety of desirable 
fruits, and there is no doubt but that within a few years the list will 
be greatly extended. 

The Orange, however, is the king of all the fruits, the standard 
of excellence and chief dependence. All other fruits are merely ac- 
cessories, side issues, at present, though some of them may eventually 
rival it in profitableness, if not in lasting durability. The fertile soil 
and delicious climate of Polk County combine to produce the most 
vigorous and fruitful trees and the most luscious fruit that can be pro- 
duced in any part of the world, and that, too, with the most ease and 
rapidity, and at the least expense. This is due to the excellent 
quality of the soil, it requiring very little, if any, fertilizing, and the 
very mild and very short wintei's, thus giving nearly all the year for 
growth, which are pertinent facts well worthy of consideration. The 
trees here attain an immense size, the older ones yielding from 1,000. 



14 HOMELAND. 

to 10,000 each of the golden fruit. There being no destructive freezes 
here the beautiful and luscious fruit can remain on the trees all win- 
ter, if desired, and sold upon the most favorable market. 

HOW TO MAKE A GROVE. 

Directions for the making of a grove of orange or other fruits, 
or for the cultivation of vegetables or farm crops, the management of 
poultry, cattle, etc., have no place in a work of this character, the sole 
aim of which is to show what Polk County is, what has been and may 
be accomplished there, and the advantages it offers to the immigrant 
in the way of soil and climate, health and fortune. Instructions as to 
how work should be done are useless, until one is on the ground, ready 
to go to work. 

The Agricultural Department at Washington has published in- 
structions as to the making of a grove and other matters pertaining to 
Florida. Rev. T. W. Moore, of Fruit Cove, Fla., has published a 
standard treatise on orange culture, which, as well as several other 
agricultural works pertaining to Florida, can be procured of any 
book-seller or news-dealer. 

To get at the true inwardness of a State, and especially of Flor- 
ida, an acquaintance with its leading newspapers is indispensable. 
Every one desiring to know of Florida, should, as a first step, send 
$1.25 to the 1 imex-l'iuon office, at Jacksonville, Fla., C. H. Jones 
& Brother, j)ublishers, and secure for that sum the Weekly Times, a 
large folio of thirty-six columns, and Munroe's Annual, an octavo pam- 
phlet of about oOO pages, which contains an immense amount of sta- 
tistical and other desirable information about Florida. The local 
papers of the section, in which you think you might be interested, 
Avould also be good investments. Their prices are from $1.50 to $2 
a year. By getting the Weekly Times you secure not only an excel- 
lent family newspaper, but also matters of news and correspondence 
from all parts of the State, ably edited and well selected. The Z)is- 
^afc7t, of Jacksonville, and The Agriculturist, oi DeLand, are weekly 
papers that you will need after you get here to teach you what to grow 
and the best methods. The Weekly Times also has excellent articles 
in this line by J. G. Knapp, the experienced agricultui'al editor. 

FIBRE PLANTS. 

The tendency of the soil and .climate of South Florida seems to be 
toward the production of f;bre and but few years need elapse before 
the millions of dollars annually sent to the East Indies for fibrous 
materials can be kept at home to increase the wealth of the country. 
Jute, hemp and ramie, and a variety of other fibrous plants grow here 
with grtat vigor. Eveii the grasses here tend to fibre. Notably 
among them is found a plant growing wild in the woods, known as 
bear grass. It attains a length of three feet, and has a white fibre of 
wonderful strength. Jute is indigenous to the State, growing wild 
and becoming a pest or weed about the farms, as it springs up peren- 
nially. The saw-palmetto, with which thousands of acres are covered, 
is also a very valuable j)]ant for fibre. From it are made brushes, 
inatti-esses, paper, etc.; but it is needless to continue the list. The 



HOMELAND. 15 

fibrous productions of Polk County only await utilization by intelligent 
and enterprising men to develop immense wealth. 

ROSES AND OTHER PLANTS. 

The low latitude, the equable temperature, and the absence of 
destructive freezes, enable those who will to have their yards and 
gardens filled with flowers throughout the year, while their residences 
areejnbowered in beautitul running vines. It also gives profitable op- 
portunity to raise roses and other plants for Northern markets, where 
they bring excellent prices. There will also be an active home de- 
mand for flowers from the thousands of winter visitors. Those who 
have a taste for plant culture have here the source of a handsome 
income. 

IvEYS, honeysuckles, Spanish goose-berry, cypress and a great 
.variety of other vines thrive wonderfully. 

INSECTS AND REPTILES. 

None except those resident here have any idea of the bitter in- 
justice that has been done to Florida, and especially to Polk County, 
as regards annoying insects and poisonous or dangero' s snakes and 
other reptiles. The facts are that no part of the United States, or of 
America, in fact, is more free from pests of this character. As regards 
mosquitoes, they are so few that mosquito nets are unused, and unseen 
in a large part of the county. The same is true of sand-flies. House- 
flies, too, are much less abundant than at the North. Fleas breed on 
hogs, but are not especially annoying after the first year. Roaches 
are no more common than in other parts of the South, and some places 
at the North. The quantity depends upon the neatness, or reverse, of 
the housewife. Gnats are no more troublesome or abundant than in 
other localities. The same may be said of the varieties of flies and 
other insects that are found in woods and fields all over the world. 
There are as few in Polk County as anywhere. 

Poisonous and other snakes may be dismissed with a word. 
There are few, very few of them ; less probably than in most sections 
of the Union. 

'Gators have been hunted so extensively for their hides and teeth 
that they are becoming not only scarce, but timid, and keep at a safe 
distance. 

GAME, FISH, ETC. 

Game always disappears with the advent of civilized man. Polk 
County affords no exception. Deer, wild turkey, etc., have been 
plentiful. There are some foxes and squirrels, abundance of rabbits, 
coon, opossum, etc. ; also quail and other game birds. 

The lakes and streams are well stocked with black bass, catfish, 
bream, perch, soft-shelled turtle, etc., but people here fish and hunt 
for the sport, and not as a means of livelihood. 

HONEY BEES. 

Bees do extremely well in Polk County, and those who have a 
taste for apiculture can secure quite a revenue from this source. 
Florida honey is not only equal but superior to that of any other 



16 HOMELAND. 

section. In this regard, as was proved at the New Orleans Exposi- 
tion, even California has to take second place. 

WHAT INDUSTRIES. 

That Polk County has the capacity and the requisites for the suc- 
cessful prosecution of any and all the industries common at the North 
and West, except that of mining, will be self evident to all who have 
perused the fcn-egoing pages, besides a number peculiar to the country. 
It is also highly probable, so much so as to be a matter of almost ab- 
solute certainty, that the thousands of active men who are coming 
hither from all sections will originate many new industries, or adapt 
old ones to the needs of this section. Here are thousands of oppor- 
tunities for earnest, clear-headed men to achieve fortunes. 

THE SOIL. 

That Polk County has a first-class reputation for excellence of 
soil has never been denied. In fact, it is credited with the possession 
of the best and most productive soil in the State. It also has the 
greatest variety, though the better class predominates. It has high 
and low, gray and black hammocks, poor and rich pine lands, pro- 
ductive oak lands, and barren scrubs, dwarf pine and black-jack 
ridges, wire-grass and saw palmetto lands, bay-gall and sand-flats, open 
prairie and grass ponds, rich bay-heads and cy()ress swamps and lakes 
of every conceivable size and variety of beauty. Every taste, desire 
and requirement can be gratified. 

PRICES OF LANDS. 

Prices are rapidly advancing, but they are so variable, and de- 
pend upon so many conditions, that it is virtually impossible to give 
any satisfactory idea regarding them. They range from SI. 25 to 
$2,000 per acre, and depend upon quality, location — present and pros- 
pective, as regards business centres and railroads — and the views and 
necessities of the owner. Prices are rapidly changing, but the new 
price is invariably an advance on the previous price. Every lot 
cleared, every new house built, every railroad constructed, or new in- 
dustry started, increases the selling value of all the lands in the neigh- 
borhood. Fortunes are being made in lands. Average prices range 
from $5 to $50 per acre. 

CAUSES OR BASIS OF PROGRESS. 

One imjjortant cause of the rapid growth and development of 
Polk County, since the South Florida Railroad was constructed 
through it, is due to its exceptionably favorable climatic conditions. 
The cheapness of the lands; their unusual fertility ; the great variety 
of productions of which they are capable ; the ease of obtaining a 
livelihood; the unexcelled beauty of the country; the many lovely 
lakes and numerous running streams; the excellence of the water ; the 
comparative freedom from insect pests and dangerous reptiles ; the re- 
markable healthfulness of the country ; the attractiveness of the 
abundant oak growths, reminding prospectors of more northern States ; 



HOMELAND. 17 

the kindly social and neighborly character of the people ; the surprisingly 
firm character of the ground in the better portions ; the absence of deep 
sands, insuring good roads and easy travel ; all these, and a large num- 
ber of other reasons that could be adduced, give a great impulse to im- 
migration, and the purchase of land as soon as the facts become known 
to the outside world ; but, thus far, Polk County has made but little 
show in newspapers, or in the pamphlets of advertising agents. The 
year and a half since the railroad reached her boundaries, or more 
properly the half year since the South Florida Railroad penetrated to 
the centre of the county, to Bartow, its county seat, has not given time 
for any extensive advertising. It is, however, developing very raj^idly, 
because of its intrinsic merits. 



CLIMATIC CONDITIONS. 

Its low latitude, between the twenty-seventh and twenty-eighth 
degrees, and moderate elevation, as well as its numerous modifying and 
protective bodies of water, insure Polk County against destructive 
freezes, and give to its vegetation and products a semi-tropical charac- 
ter, as well as long seasons for growth, with very short and very mild 
winters. 

Being not only located in the centre of a peninsula, but also 
within the region of the trade winds, that blow with unfailing regu- 
larity, it is sure of refreshing daily breezes, that both cool and purify 
the atmosphere, and make stagnant and sultry air absolutely impossi- 
ble. Being insular between the broad Atlantic and the Gulf of Mex- 
ico, with the intervening spaces filled with balsamic j^iue forests, the 
air, as it filtrates through them, becomes heavily charged with their 
healing and health-givmg aroma, in addition to the life-giving ozone 
from the Ocean, as well as with the perfume of countless flowers, more 
potent medicines than any physician can give. 

The days are shorter and the nights are longer in summer than in 
sections further north ; hence, the earth has less time to become heated 
and more time to cool in summer than in higher latitudes. In addi- 
tion to this, during the hot days of summer the evaporation is very 
rapid from lake and river. Gulf and Ocean, rendering much of the 
heat latent. The vapor rising, forms clouds w^hich intercept the heat 
of the sun, shielding earth and man from its calorific rays. The moisture 
becomes excessive, and it falls in refreshing showers, cooling the atmos- 
phere and preventing dust and drouth, as well as absorbing heat by 
speedy evaporation. Much of the heat is also dissipated by the breeze from 
the Ocean and borne across the narrow peninsula, here only a hun- 
dred miles wide, to the Gulf Thus these several causes, and there 
may be others, combine to make the heat less, as well as the air more 
pure and strengthening, than at any distance to the north. Therefore, 
we find that the farther south we go on the Florida peninsula the less 
the altitude of the thermometer in .summer, while the heat really felt 
is actually several degrees less than indicated. Thus, a really hot day 
is less exhaustive and more enjoyable than in any other part of the 
country. People generally do not understand these facts. When they 
do, South Florida will be a popular summer, as well as winter, re- 
sort. 



18, ' HOMELAND. 

In summer the ocean is cooler than the land, consequently breezes 
from the ocean, like the trade winds, make excessive heat impossible. 
Yet these trade winds extend but a short distance beyond the tropic 
circles, as will be seen by examination of any physical geography. 
As regards Florida, they are felt regularly only in the southern por- 
tion, in South Florida, and the farther south the greater their power. 
Their eflects are also felt more completely on an elevated table-land, 
or plateau, like Polk County, which reaches its greatest altitude in the 
wide central strip or ridge that extends through the county from 
northwest to southeast, giving full scope to the winds and affording 
excellent natural, and opportunities for artificial, drainage. These 
facts make a residence in Polk County much more desirable than in 
the lower and flatter lands, by which this central ridge is surrounded 
on all sides for many miles. It is also preferable to, and more to be 
desired, than localities further north, both because of the superior 
benefit it gets from the trade winds, that give such excellent results in 
Polk County, j^urifying the air and mitigating the summer heats until 
they become very enjoyable, and the comparative absence of frost. 

In winter the waters of the Ocean are warmer than the land. 
Hence, the eflTect of the breeze from the Ocean is reversed and winds 
from Ocean or Gulf are warm and enjoyable. These winds also pass 
over the warm Gulf Stream. It is only the northerly winds and those 
from the home of storms in the northwest, among the Rocky Moun- 
tains, that bring disagreeable cold. But these winds are modified and 
deflected, bent northeastward, by the prevalent winds from the east 
and south that sweep over the Gulf Stream's warm waters, which flow 
around the south end and up the east side of the peninsula. 

Hence, though localities to the west, the northwest and the north, 
may suffer from disagreeable cold and even frost, the favored ])arts of 
Polk County are exempt, for several reasons, among which may be 
mentioned the fact of the lower latitude of Polk, and consequently 
greater natural warmth ; the fact that the cold winds are beaten back 
by the prevailing winds, giving them a direction to the northeast ; and, 
a final important consideration, the beneficial influence of all the lakes 
in the State to the north of Polk County, as well as the large numbers 
within her borders, in taking the frosty sting from winter's chilling 
winds. Any one can see that facts like these are self-evident. The 
lower the latitude, with the same or a less elevation, the higher the 
temperature in winter ; the warmer and the more constant the winds 
from the east and the south, the less the cold that can reach the lo- 
cality from the north, and the greater the number of lakes interposing, 
the more equable the temperature and the less the variation in the range 
of the thermometer. In this connection may be properly noted the 
fact that the days and nights are more nearly of e<iual length than in 
any locality at any distance further north. This, as will be readily 
seen, insures a greater time and amount of sunlight in winter and 
greater consequent warmth. Hence, we conclude that as regards 
mildness and equability of temperature, absence of cold, disagreeable 
winds and frost, with all the consequent advantages to be derived 
therefrom, Polk County stands without a peer — unequalled. 



HOMELAND. 19 

CYCLONES, TORNADOES, ETC. 

Not only can Polk County justly claim a more genial, equable 
and desirable temperature than any other section of the State, greater 
freedom from insect pests, more varied lands and landscape, a more 
generally fertile soil, and a soil and climate that give opportunity for 
the profitable production of a greater variety of fruits and vegetables 
than any other section of the State, or of the Union, but it also has a 
great advantage over all other sections, except a moderate tract of in- 
terior country a few miles to the north and to the south of its borders, 
in the fact that it is situated in the centre of the narrow belt extend- 
ing across the South Florida peninsula that is exempt from 

DESTRUCTIVE STORMS, 

as is proven by experience, and evidenced by careful and scientific 
study of the course which storms always take and the physical con- 
formation of country that shapes the pathway, or route, of all severe 
storms. Neither cyclones, tornadoes, nor hurricanes, can ever travel 
over the fair surface of Polk County, leaving devastation and ruin in 
their track, as is so often the case in the West and Northwest, the 
North, and occasionally in the South. The scientific reasoning by 
which this is proven is rather abstruse and extended, and worthy of 
consideration. .We have not space for it in this work, as we are deal- 
ing only with facts, without extended reasoning as to the cause. The 
fact is patent that no such storm has ever visited this section, and 
science shows that it cannot. Let these facts be deeply pondered by 
those who live in those sections of the country where the cyclone, the 
tornado, the blizzard, the electrical storm, or even the fence-pros- 
trating, chimney-tumbling, roof-lifting equinoctial storms have full 
sway. The people of Polk County are absolutely ignorant, as regards 
personal experience here, of the characteristics of a really severe 
storm. They do not know how to appreciate even a gale on the coast. 
One that has experienced " storms as are storms " cannot help smiling 
at the residents' relation of their experiences with, or in, storms that 
they considered severe. In the writer's four years' experience of 
South Florida he has not seen, known of, or felt any storm that can 
begin to be compared in severity with the usual equinoctial storms of 
the North or West, or with the gales that so often prevail on the east- 
ern coast of any part of America. In this regard, Polk and Orange 
Counties are predominant. They have no equals anywhere. They 
are unexcelled, unapproachable, for in. them the storm king is shorn 
of his power. How immense is the sense of security and enjoyment 
when you feel assured that your home is in a section where your crops 
will not be destroyed by unruly winds on a rampage ; where your 
fences and barns will not be scattered over your fields, and where 
your house and your loved ones are secure. 

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES. 

At present, the system of common schools supported by the State, 
and a few private schools, comprise the sum of all that is available in 
the matter of education. Great interest, however, is being awakened 
in the matter, excellent school buildings are being erected in several 



20 HOMELAND. 

parts of the county, the very best of teachers are to be employed, and 
there is every reason to believe that the educational interests and fa- 
cilities of Polk County will soon be fully equal to those of any county 
in the State, or in other parts of the country. The county already 
has a handsome school fund from the donations of Jacob Summerlin, 
which will doubtless be speedily increased. 

/ 

RELIGIOUS INTERESTS. 

The Bajotists and Methodists have handsome churches and 
parsonages in several parts of the county, church societies are or- 
ganizing, and these and other denominations will speedily erect other 
church edifices and supply them with an able ministry, in addition to 
the present regular preaching. Well-attended Sunday Schools are or- 
ganized throughout the county! 

MANUFACTORIES. 

At present, saw and j^laning mills, with wood-working machinery 
for making pickets, laths, shingles, mouldings, etc., comprise the bulk 
of the county's manufactories. Bartow has a grist mill and a harness 
manufacturer. There has been a tannery and large boot and shoe 
manufactory at Fort Meade. There is also a brick-yard two and a 
half miles south of Bartow. Polk County offers rare opportunities for 
the establishment of a great variety of manufactories that would pay 
a very profitable jDercentage on the investments. Those who find 
business dull at the North can here retrieve their fortunes. 

VARIETIES OF BUSINESS. 

General merchandise stores take the lead, being established in all 
the more important places. The country is settling up rapidly, how- 
ever ; new centres are being established, and there are increasing op- 
portunities for enterprising men with stocks of goods to build up a 
handsome business. Bartow jmd Lakeland have especial drug, hard- 
ware and some other stores, and the variety of business is rapidly in- 
creasing in those and other places. Most of the centres have railroad 
depots, telegr&ph and express, as well as post-offices. Hotels are 
numerous, and charges moderate. jNIost towns have one or tw-o livery 
stables. There are, also, public halls and opera houses, skating rinks, 
millinery stores, soda and ice-cream rooms, billiard parlors, shoe- 
maker's shops, news rooms, barber shops, photograph galleries, board- 
ing houses, insurance and real estate agents, contractors and builders, 
attorneys, physicians, butchers, grain and feed stores and a variety of 
other occupations and industries. Last, but not least, Bartow, Lake- 
land and Fort Meade each have wide-awake newspapers — The In- 
foymant, News, and Pioneer — that put into print such matters as the 
respective editors deem of most interest and benefit to the country. 

DESIRABLE INDUSTRIES. 

The number of new and beneficial industries that might be es- 
tablished with profit to the proprietor and benefit to the communities 



HOMELAND. 21 

can be counted by the tens and the scores. We will note but a few. 
Enterprising men, by a little reflection, can suggest many that would 
be likely to return a good income. Blacksmiths are needed in several 
places. Wagon-makers could find rapid sale for their products, as 
well as considerable business in the way of repairs. Good boat- 
builders are needed in the Lake Region. Machinist and repair shops 
with lathes and other desirable machines and tools would find a rapidly 
increasing amount of work. A few mills to saw out pickets, with 
machines to make an improved portable wire and picket fence, could do 
a lively business from the start; orange boxes and vegetable crates are 
in demand, and a surprising quantity would find a ready market ; 
new furniture is in great demand, and there is plenty of excellent 
timber for its manufacture ; a welt-managed factory could do a large 
business. Many articles of domestic use are made of wood. AVhy not 
make them here, where woods are in great variety and suitable for 
nearly every conceivable purpose? Barrels are needed for sugar and 
syrup ; a cooper could find constant employment. The wood-work, at 
least, of many agricultural and labor-saving implements, might be 
made here. Factories for the manufacture of the fibre of the saw- 
palmetto into material for mattresses and upholstery could here find 
abundance of work and raw material. Mills to reduce the palmetto, 
bear grass, and other fibrous materials, to pulp for the manufacture of 
paper and a variety of other articles, could here find unfailing employ- 
ment^ A mill for making oil from the castor bean could develop a 
profitable industry. Canning factories for the tomatoes, for making 
guavajellj, etc., will here find an extensive field. Orange Avine will 
be the typical drink of the Floridian; manufactories are in demand. 
Cassava and arrow-root make excellent starch ; their cultivation might 
be stimulated by manufactories. The people of every village need 
their wood sawed very short for cooking purposes; a portable engine and 
circular saw could have steady employment. Cement tile and artificial 
stone are in constant demand ; they might be manufactured here and 
save the expense of shipment. Improved means of "grubbing" land, 
cutting ditches, etc., are in demand; here is a valuable field for the 
inventor. South Florida has no book bindery ; one is much needed. 
Paper mills are in demand; plenty of the raw material grows wild. 
An ice factory is needed, to save the expense of shipment. Wood- 
working machines of all kinds can find steady employment in working 
up the great variety of timber. In brief, there is room and oppor- 
tunity here for nearly every, known industrial occupation, and the 
field awaits men of pluck and enterprise. 

RAILROADS. 

Of these promoters of development and necessities of civilization 
two are already completed to Polk County — the South Florida from 
Sauford, on Lake Monroe, to Tampa, on the Gulf of Mexico, with a 
branch from Bartow Junction, seventeen miles, to Bartow ; The Flor- 
ida Southern from Lake City to Lakeland, gives railroad connection 
with Jacksonville and the Avhole railroad system of the country. This 
is to be speedily extended through Polk County to Charlotte Harbor, 
the date of completion being fixed at January 1, 1886. Work is pro- 
gressing. The survey runs through Bartow and Fort Meade. 



22 HOMELAND. 

The Tavares, Apopka and Gulf Railroad, which connects with 
the Florida Railway and Navigation Company's system, has been com- 
menced, and sufficient iron contracted for to lay the track to Fort 
Meade. This road is to be built to Charlotte Harbor, with branches 
to Kissimmee, the lakes southeast of Bartow, Manatee and Fort Myers, 
making it a grand trunk line, running north and south through Polk 
County, near the centre. 

Roads chartered are the Tropical, or Peninsular ; the Jackson- 
ville, Tampa and Key West, which are to run north and south 
through the county ; the Bartow and Tampa ; the Indian River and 
Manatee, from Titusville, Brevard County, via Bartow and Fort 
Meade, to the mouth of the Manatee River ; Fort Meade, Keystone 
and Walk-in-the-Water Railroad, with a branch from Keystone to 
Arbuckle River, and the Bartow and DeLeon Springs Railroad. In 
addition to those already chartered, several others are contemplated, 
and will be built, doubtless, with but little delay, as the railroad sys- 
tem of Polk County gives great promise of being very intricate and 
complete. 

GROWTH OF TOWNS AND VILLAGES. 

Briefly noting that Florida came into the possession of the United 
States in 1821, we will defer consideration of its early history to a fu- 
ture chapter. All South Florida, with the exception of a few seaports, 
and a considerable portion of the northern part of the Territory, was in 
the virtual possession of the Indians until the breaking out of the In- 
dian war in 1835. The war ended in 1842, military posts having been 
established about twenty miles apart throughont a large portion of the 
peninsula. In 1845 Florida was admitted as a State into the Union. In 
1852 Fort Meade was occupied by a garrison of United States troops, but 
the whole country was a wilderness. About this time settlers, and es- 
pecially cattlemen, began to settle on the fertile lands and pasture their 
cattle on the luxuriant ranges. It was then a part of Hillsboro' 
county. 

In 1855 another Indian war broke out, but was ended in 1858 by 
the emigration of most of the Indians to beyond the Mississippi, the 
General Government paying $250 in gold for each warrior, and a less 
amount for the squaws and pappooses. 

In 1859 Polk County was formed by a division of Hillsboro' 
County. 

In 1861 the Florida Legislature passed an Act of Secession, and 
cast her lot with the Southern Confederacy, and even the slow devel- 
opment of the county virtually ceased. 

In 1865 the Act of Secession was repealed, the war having ended, 
and a new Constitution was framed and adopted by the State ; but time 
was required to recuperate from the effects of the war before there 
could be substantial progress. 

Efforts had been made since the organization of the county, in 
1859, but without success, until Jacob Summerlin, in 1866, donated 
forty acres of land — the present site of the business portion of Bar- 
tow — to the county, for school purposes and a county site. He also 
gave twenty acres each to the Baptist and Methodist religious organi- 
zations at the same place, then known as Pease Creek. A court- 
house, hotel, stores and several other buildings were built that year. 



HOMELAND. ' 23 

Time passes on ; the population slowly increase, a few orange trees 
are set about the scattered residences ; corn, pease, sugar-cane, cotton 
and a few vegetables are raised, but the chief wealth of the county is 
in the numerous herds of cattle that feed upon the luxuriant ranges 
of Polk, Manatee and Monroe Counties, and are exchanged for Span- 
ish gold, the cattle being shipped from Punta Rassa to Havana. Tampa, 
forty-five miles to the west, w-as the entrepot and chief centre of trade, 
but Bartow and Fort Meade each had a couple of stores that did a 
heavy business. 

The northern and ^astern part of the State, accessible from the 
St. Johns River, had made good headway in its development. The 
South Florida Railroad, the first in South Florida, had been built to 
Orlando in 1880, and opened to Kissimmee in 1882, and new settlers 
were pouring in by hundreds, and prospectors by thousands, but Polk 
County was shut out from the activities of other parts of the country 
because of her lack of means and ways of transportation. There was 
a rough, unabridged wagon road forty-five miles to Tampa, and a trail 
through the woods, seventy miles to Orlando. There was no sale for 
fruit or for farm produce, except corn, because of the difficulty and ex- 
pense of getting them to market. There were few immigrants because 
of this same lack of transportation facilities. 

The more clear-headed and energetic of the inhabitants, feeling 
assured that the sterling virtues of the climate and soil of Polk County 
would eventually be made accessible, and be in great demand, very 
wisely went to planting groves. Though shut out from the busy, 
bustling outside world, the people were self-sustaining, happy and con- 
tented Talk of railroads was rife, and the survey of the South Flor- 
ida Railroad was made from Kissimmee to Tampa, and its construc- 
tion commenced. Prospective settlers and the agents of capitalists 
swarmed over Polk County, and many thousands of acres of land were 
purchased of the General Government and of the State. Hamilton 
Disston, who had purchased four million acres of the State, located 
large tracts in this county, while thousacds of acres were reserved for 
chartered railroads. 

In 1882, land was held at very low prices at Bartow and through- 
out the county. In 1883, it began to advance. The surveyed rail- 
road was building through Polk County, about fourteen miles north 
of Bartow. In 1884, it was open to the public. A branch 
road was surveyed to Bartow. The real building of the town had 
hardly commenced in 1883. In 1884 it was earnestly prosecuted. 
Things began to boom, January, 1885, the branch road was opened 
by an excursion. The people of Polk County welcomed the guests 
with a magnificent barbecue. So abundant was the repast that at least 
seven times seven baskets of fragments must have remained. There 
was music by the Bartow brass band, a procession, speeches of wel- 
come, music, a rare feast, excellent horseback riding by ladies and gen- 
tlemen, and the day closed with a dance at the leading hotel and a 
performance at the new opera-house. The visitors were agreeably sur- 
prised by the numbers of new buildings and the many unexpected 
evidences of progress. Polk County had begun her development, and 
she commenced strong. During the year past, the pine woods have 
been felled, and several vigorous new towns have sprung into being 



24 HOMELAND. 

along the line of the railroad — Lakeland, Acton, Auburndale, Sani- 
taria, Bartow Junction, Haines City, Winter Haven. Bartow has in- 
creased prodiguoiisly, and Fort Meade, always an important centre of 
trade, is making ready for wonderful strides when the railroad, or rail- 
roads, reaches there the coming season. Other centres are also pre- 
paring for rapid development. 

Thus is stated, as clearly and as- briefly as possible, the Polk 
County of the past and of the present. Is any further explanation 
needed of the fact that she is not as densely populated as the one with 
which she has the most points of similarity — Orange County? Polk 
had her first railroad last year ; her branch to the county seat this year. 
Orange has had her railroad to her county seat for five years. The 
development of Polk County in the next five years, judging from 
present indications, will greatly surpass anything that has been seen 
in Florida. It has the soil, it has the climate, it has the variety of 
configuration of land and landscape, it has the locations for homes, it 
has the opportunities and advantages for self-support, for wealth and 
for fortunes, that is without a peer in this broad land. It is unequalled. 
She is not laggard in her progressive speed. She has started on the 
race of development with the strength of a giant and the vigor and 
agility of an athlete. 

PROSPECTS OF THE FUTURE. 

Can anything be said that will enhance or show more clearly the 
solid, actual prospects of so healthful, so beautiful and so fertile, so 
attractive and desirable a county as that of Polk — a section where it 
is a delight to live, Avhere life is easily sustained and where corroding 
care has no place ? 

Can we picture the near future ? A dense population, each family 
occupying from one to five or ten acres for the home lot, which is cov- 
ered with fruit trees, prominent among which is the beautiful ever- 
green orange tree, laden with its luscious and wealth-producing golden 
fruit. The houses are embowered in running vines and the yard is 
filled with beautiful shrubs and entrancing flowers, that grow and 
bloom the livelong year. Near the kitchen is a plat devoted to the 
vegetables, Avhich are supplied fresh to the table every day in the 
year. Also, we see a strawberry bed laden with delicious fruit from 
December to June. There are also a great variety of fruits, for these 
healthful products of Nature's alchemy form a pleasant portion of the 
daily sustenance. There are grapes and figs, plums and peaches, va- 
ried fruits and great store of berries. But we will not enumerate; 
there is profusion and abundance — everything that may delight the 
taste or satisfy the appetite. The house is neatly built and elegantly 
furnished. Abundance of windows and doors, wide halls and broad 
verandas, giving free access to the balmy air, enable the happy owner 
to banish exhaustive care and enjoy life to the full in the most de- 
licious and healthful climate that the world affords, where Nature 
clothes the earth in the most entrancing garments of beauty. 

The near future will see active social centres every two to four 
miles, with post-oftice, telegraph, telephone, express, and other de- 
sirable oflices ; with church, school, stores, etc., and most likely a rail- 
way depot. Not only will trains be run on the intricate net-work of 



HOMELAND. 25 

steel roads, but the railroad tricycle, propelled by foot or by elec- 
tricity, will give individuals and families opportunity to go where and 
when they will on the regular lines, or on roads built for the purpose. 
The chief industries will be the growing of numerous varieties of 
fruits and vegetables for export to less favored sections, the entertain- 
ment of the thousands of visitors that will flock here at all seasons of 
the year, and for vvhom the most elegant of accommodations and the 
greatest variety of means of enjoyment will be provided. Thousands 
of people will find profitable occupation in the great variety of indus- 
tries necessary to supply the needs, wants and desires of the great 
masses of highly civilized people that will here make their homes. 
Educational institutions of a high order will be numerous, as the genial 
and healthful climate will be found more favorable to study than that 
of any other section. Hence, knowledge will increase. 

ADVANTAGES POLK COUNTY OFFERS. 

1. The most delicious climate in the known world, with exemp- 
tion from destructive frosts and freezes. 

2. The most healthful section, as well as a varied, beautiful and 
productive country. 

3. Fertile lands especially suited to the growth of citrus and 
other semi-tropical, as well as many small fruits, grains, etc., and the 
whole range of vegetables, all of which yield abundant and profitable 
returns. 

4. Opportunity to work every day in the year, if desired, and 
that, too, more comfortably than in any other section, the summers 
being. cooler and the winters warmer than in other places. 

5. No long, cold, stormy winters to exhaust the products of the 
summer's industry, but instead, bountiful harvests every month in the 
year. 

6. The best possible opportunities to easily secure not only a 
livelihood, but also a competence or a fortune. 

7. Choice lands that can be secured at very moderate prices, as 
compared with their prospective value in the near future. 

8. Good society ; social centres with schools, churches, halls, 
stores, etc., and a rapidly increasing immigration of the most intelli- 
gent, cultured, earnest, energetic, temperate and law-abiding class of 
citizens that the whole country affords. 

9. Ready means of communication by telegraph and railroad 
with all parts of the world, and rapidly increasing transportation fa- 
cilities throughout the length and breadth of the county. 

10. Temperate, orderly, progressive, social society, rapidly in- 
creasing educational and religious facilities, low taxes and the best 
possible indications of a dense population and abundant wealth. 

11. A country comparatively free from insect pests, poisonous 
and dangerous reptiles and other common sources of annoyance. 

12. Polk County is a section where the diseases are few and 
mild, yielding readily to proper treatment ; where the death-rate is 
very light, and old age is the most fatal affection ; where typhoid and 
scarlet fevers, pneumonia and phthisis, prevalent in other parts of 
the world, are very rare ; where diphtheria, yellow fever, hydrophobia 



26 HOMELAND. 

and sun-stroke are unknown; where health and wealth, joy and pros- 
perity abound ; where pleasures are many and real discomforts are but 
few; where labor, energy and intelligent enterprise secure abundant 
rewards ; where new industries may be established with a certainty of 
profital^le returns ; where children thrive and grow strong and vigor- 
ous, untouched by croup, diphtheria, scarlet fever,fand other virulent 
diseases, that whelm with grief and sorrow so many families in other 
parts of the country ; in brief, the great attractions of Polk County 
are in the fact that it is a land of balmy breezes, genial sunshine and 
active health, of delicious joys and increasing wealth. 

CLASSES OF PEOPLE WANTED. 

People of every degree, the rich and the poor, the educated and 
the illiterate, even the rheumaticallylame, and the constitutionally lazy 
are invited to make their homes, in Polk County, provided, always, 
that they are neither rascals, loafers, nor parasites. All such are ad- 
vised to go to hades or sheol at once without taking the trouble to 
come to Polk County, as they would find themselves on the wrong 
road. 

. The rich can here increase their fortunes ; the poor can secure 
competence and independence ; the rheumatic will be healed ; also, the 
consumptive, if not in the later stages, and the constitutionally lazy 
will find that the climate infuses so much life and healthful energy 
that even he will become ashamed of himself and be inspired with an 
ambition and earnest desire to also have a productive grove and a 
beautiful home. 

Literary people will here find a very congenial field, for here 
they can meet with the intelligent, the educated and the cultured 
from all sections. Here they will find many phases of character that 
they can study with profit. They will also here find great variety. 
Abiding pleasantly in some of the many lovely locations that Polk 
County aflbrds, they can store their minds Vith facts from varied 
sources. For exercise they have their choice of charming walks, 
rowing, or sailing on the beautiful lakes ; they can hunt or fish fi)r oc- 
casional recreation, or they can attend the numerous picnics and thus 
divert their minds. Are they lovers of botany, ornithology, ichthiol- 
OeJ'.or any of the ologies of natural science, they will here find an ex- 
tensive and wonderfully interesting field. Or, are they of a yet more 
practical turn of mind, they can find abundant needful exercise 
for the body in the care of a charming grove, or a yard of lovely fiowers, 
or a garden of toothsome vegetables, though devoting the bulk of 
their time to their literary labor in this genial climate. 

EXTENT OF FLORIDA. 

Florida is so large a State, extending nearly 400 miles from north 
to south, and about the same distance from east to west, with an area 
of 59,268 square miles, making it the largest State east of the Missis- 
sippi River ; with a territory within less than 100 square miles as large 
as the important States of New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and 
Delaware (a fact that is realized by very few), covering, as it does, 
about the same number of degrees of latitude and longitude as do those 



HOMELAND. 27 

four States, that people are apt to get very wrong ideas, not only of the 
State as a whole, but, also, of special localities, some of the individual 
counties being as large, or larger, than some of the States of the 
. Union. Hence the many absurd ideas that prevail throughout the 
country with regard to Florida. A report, good or bad, may be abso- 
lutely true with regard to a particular locality, yet utterly untrue as 
regards many other parts of this great State, portions of which are 
destined to become the sanitariums of the Union, and the State, as a 
whole, very populous and wealthy. 

If a person were to enter New York at its northern boundary, 
and make his way mostly by boat as far south as Lake Champlain, 
without visiting the interior country, and write letters to the papers 
'with the idea that he knew all there was to be known with regard to 
New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Delaware, would you con- 
sider his statements entitled to belief? Yet his case would be no more 
absurd, ridiculous as it would be, than is that of hundreds of tourists, 
or prospectors, who, reaching Florida by rail or water, make a trip 
by boat up the St. Johns River and return, thinking themselves thor- 
oughly posted Avith regard to Florida. The northern New York 
traveler would have a much better idea of the characteristics and re- 
sources of those four States than would the Florida traveler up the St. 
Johns, for the characteristics, resources and productions of the differ- 
ent parts of Florida are much more varied than are to be found from 
northern New York to southern Delaware. 

Hence, the advice, " Come and see for yourself," is very appro- 
priate as regards Florida. Extensive tracts in the other States have 
special characteristics of similarity. So has Florida, the special char- 
acteristic here being that things are inextricably mixed. One man 
here may possess a perfect Eden, while his neighbor on the adjoining 
quarter section, as compared with the good fortune of his neighbor, 
may be in hades or sheol, as the new translation makes it. The good 
and the bad, the bitter and the sweet, are in close juxtaposition in 
Florida, and it requires practical common sense, and some acquaint- 
ance with the country, to determine the more desirable location. There 
is much waste land, consequently really good and desirable locations 
are sure to always command a high price, and are certain to be good 
investments. » 

Judge J. G. Knapp, whose writings in the Times- Union show a 
very intimate knowledge of Florida, divides the State into eight dis- 
tinct zones, the general characteristics of each zone being specifically 
different. The northwestern part of the State he classes by itself. 
Then comes, proceeding from north to south, the Northern, the North 
Central, the Central, the South Central, the Southern, the Semi-Tropi- 
cal, and lastly, the Tropical Zone, embracing the outlying islands or 
keys. Each division embraces a degree of latitude, except the North- 
ern and Southern, the State extending from 30° 40' 18" to 24° 33' 
north. The longitude west from Greenwich is from 80° 10' to 87° 18' 
23". His division is a very convenient one, and as reliable as it is 
possible to indicate special characteristics by arbitrary lines. There is, 
in fact, a gradual change from north to south, his division indicating 
the prominent features. 



28 HOMELAND. 

THE SOUTH CENTRAL BELT. 

Regarding this belt of country, of which Polk County consti- 
tutes the northern part of the centre, Judge J. G. Knapp, a standard 
authority, says : " If we were charmed above the twenty-eighth paral- 
lel, in this South Central Belt we will be enchanted. The climate here 
is still more salubrious, more equable, the breezes more balsamic and 
refreshing, the vegetation more tropical, more luxuriant, more con- 
stantly growing, blooming and fruiting ; a summer where the sun 
does not burn by day, and hot winds do not blow by night. Here 
the planting season begins January 1st, and ends December 31st. 

"Here frosts never freeze the orange, and it may remain on 
the parent tree till fully ripe. The grapefruit mellows and ripens in 
April sunshine, and sweetens in the warm days of May, The lemon 
swells in size and fills with its luscious acid under the dews and bright 
sun of winter. The limes grow under the warm breath of spring and 
mature their medicinal juices in June, when fevers commence to rage 
in colder climes. Here grow the melting sugar apples, the sops and 
cheramozas, and mangoes, with the rich guavas, that ripen in summer 
and autumn, and thus lengthen out the season of the bananas and 
pine-apples. Towering over all of these is the ' alligator ' pear, half 
vegetable, half salad, strange compound fruit of a tropical laurel. 
Roses bloom eternally, and all the region is one vast green house, not 
yet filled with plants, because man has not been placed here to dress 
and care for it. The way hither has, until lately, been blocked by 
savages, by false reports of innumerable pests of flies, snakes, alliga- 
tors and wild beasts, is now just broken by a single railroad. The 
beacon of truth begins to shine brightly aloft. The Nation's eye is 
turned thither,' the ti-ead of the pioneer is heard, and men are making 
their way there to stay. 

" In this belt the backbone of the peninsula sinks down towards 
the flat-woods and grassy meadows of Southern Manatee and the Ever- 
glades. The prevailing winds are easterly, and show that the tropics 
are near. The dry lands are covered with the stately southern pines, 
the best fruit lands of the State, only needing the hand of man to re- 
move the trees and fill its sandy, well drained soil with vegetable 
matter. Hammocks as rich as any in the State are stretched along 
its rivers and their branches, and elsewhere. The flat-woods are by na- 
ture rich grazing grounds, and can be cheaj)ly converted into ever- 
green meadows and pastures. Sug.'r-cane matures to tasseling, and 
only requires a fertile soil for its production. Rice on suitable soil 
will yield more bushels to the acre than can be produced on the rich, 
black lands of the Northwest of oats and barley. The sweet potatoes 
and cassava roots ever lie in the soil of their growth. Irish potatoes 
and garden truck are planted and grown when other regions are bound 
in fetters of ice, and water-melons are ripe in April. He who shall 
predict for this region a high rank among the incomparable belts of 
Floi'ida will not err. Its seaports are in Tampa Bay." 

Being credited by the general ptblic, who are conversant with 
the facts, with having given clear, reliable aiid unexaggerated state- 
ments with regard to the localities I have previously described, it will 
be my most earnest endeavor in the present work to maintain 



HOMELAND. 29 

the same high and trustworthy reputation, which I vakie more highly 
than aught else the world can bestow. My aim is to inform and bene- 
fit, not to mislead. I believe that there are many thousands at the 
North and in the great West who, did they know the exact facts, would 
make their homes in Polk County at the earliest possible date. Thou- 
sands, and tens of tens of thousands, who are engaged in a ceaseless 
struggle to keep the wolf from the door, or to lay by something for a 
" rainy day " can hardly be made to realize how greatly they could 
better their condition, their prospects and their fortunes, by coming to 
this genial clime and securing a few acres of the fertile soil of Polk 
County whereon to make a home, cultivate and improve the same. 

Extended observation convinces me that the first step toward 
success in Florida is to be secured by the purchase and improvement 
of land. There are several reasons for this fact. If a man owns the 
place where he resides, he will busy himself many odd hours, that 
otherwise might not be utilized, in making small and desirable, though 
not necessarily positively-required improvements. All the members 
of his family, if it be a well regulated family, will be inspired with a 
commendable zeal to make the home as beautiful, comfortable and at- 
tractive as possible. The home place will be a savings bank, wherein 
are treasured the spare moments and hours, the spare dimes and dol- 
lars. The more perfect the place becomes, the more earnest will be 
the endeavor. 

Secondly, very few have any just idea of how valuable a place 
of from two to five acres can be made, nor of how great an income 
can be secured from such a'tract by proper cultivation and attention. 

The intensive system of cultivation is the only one that is profit- 
able. The largest crop that can be grown on one acre pays much 
better than an ordinary crop from a number of acres. 

The amount of fertilizer that can be derived from the slops and re- 
fuse of a house, the privies and the di^oppings of the poultry, if properly 
composted, is sufficient, if applied to Polk County soil, to grow all the 
eatables required for the family, and leave a surplus for sale to pur- 
chase other desired articles. 

Another important fact is that in Polk County you can raise the 
citrus and other semi-tropical fruits that yield many times as much in- 
come per acre as do the farming lands of the North and West. An 
income of $500 to $1,000, and even double those amounts, per acre, is 
no uncommon thing here, whereas, in other parts of the country, the 
standard crops do not average a tenth of the amount, though requir- 
ing much more labor and care. Such encouraging results are attained 
by the growing of vegetables, as well as by the production of pine- 
apples, oranges, etc. 

The superior healthfulness of Polk County should be an import- 
ant inducement to the settler. The vitalizing sunshine, the balmy and 
delicious atmosphere, the genial days, the restful nights, the absence 
of acclimatizing diseases, of phthisis and of zymotic diseases, as also 
of those maladies that are so fatal to children in other States, show 
very significantly the superior desirability of this section in preference 
to localities in other States of the Union. 

A family can live much more cheaply, as well as comfortably, in 
Polk County than in other parts of the country, and can earn more. 



30 HOMELAND. 

There are no long and inclement winters to consume the substance of 
the harvest. There is no season of enforced idleness, but a man can 
work every day in the year if he choose. There is not a mouth, a 
week, or a day, but some of the products of the soil may be harvested, 
and he may, if he desire, have pleasantly varied kinds of vegetables 
fresh from his garden every day in the year. Here he is neither 
pinched with bitter cold nor exhausted by sultry days or nights, nor 
is he consumed by exhaustive heat. Modified by genial breezes, the 
temperature is refreshingly delicious at all seasons of the 3'ear. Not 
only are the winters mild, bright, healthful and inspiriting to active 
duties, but the summer heats, though extending over a longer period, 
are less intense and less exhaustive than in any other State. Besides 
this, however hot the day, the air never becomes close, sultry and 
putrid, as is so often the case in the interior States of the Union ; 
however hot the day, the nights are invariably cool, refreshing, and 
conducive to healthful, strengthening sleep. This is due to the penin- 
sular location of the State, and also to the fact that the days and nights 
are of more equal duration, giving less time for the earth to become 
heated by the sun's rays, while the nights being longer, it has more 
time to cool. The peninsular form gives semi-daily breezes, the trade 
winds from the Atlantic by day and the reverse winds from the Gulf 
by night. But the trade winds are only felt in the peninsular part of 
Florida. Polk County being located near the centre of the peninsula, 
it gets the full benefit of the trade winds, which are a very important 
factor in securing for it the unexcelled deliciousness of its climate, that 
so favorably impresses alF who have the good fortune to make its ac- 
quaintance. In this respect Polk County claims the pre-eminence 
over all other sections. 

Provisions and general merchandise are supplied as cheaply and 
as reasonably in Polk County as in most sections of the Union. This 
fact is a surprise to many who come here. Supplies are received both 
from Atlantic and Gulf ports, as well as from the interior of the coun- 
try. A man who can get a comfortable living at the North or AVest 
can secure one here with half the effort. He has every day in the 
year to work, the fertile soil yields abundant returns, the semi-tropic 
fruits and vegetables give a much greater cash value per acre than 
the Northern and Western farm crops, fuel costs only the cutting and 
hauling, and but little is required, less clothing is needed, doctors' 
bills vanish, taxes are light, encouraging prospects drive away the 
blues, and there seems to be no possible reason why every sensible and 
intelligent person should not only enjoy life to the full, but also leave 
an increasing competence to his children after him. 

The people who come to Florida are mostly people of some means, 
those in moderately comfortable circumstances, who desire not only to 
better their fortunes, but also to escape the rigors of the inclement 
Northern winters. The larger proportion are past middle age and 
have families. They are chiefly from the better classes of the indus- 
trious people, who are not afraid to work — earnest, intelligent, and 
many of them highly educated. 

There are specimens only of the other classes that compose so- 
ciety. Those who come to Florida to make their homes are, as a class, 
greatly superior to the immigrants to the new Western States, socially, 



HOMELAND. 31 

morally, and intellectually. No other State was ever able to secure a 
class of people like those who are pouring into Florida by thousands. 
They bring their home ideas with them and put them in active opera- 
tion at once. They are energetic, industrious, orderly, God-fearing 
people, the very cream or selection of the fittest from the same classes 
at the North and West, the Middle and Central States, and the South. 

With a steady and rapid infusion of such fresh blood poured into 
Florida by many streams, and in augmenting quantities, is it any 
wonder that her fast-increasing population begin to feel within their 
veins the pulsations of the grand and sublime destiny that awaits 
Florida in the near future, and that will place upon her imperial 
brow not only the victor's crowns of laurel, of oak, and of bay, but also 
the most sparkling, the brightest, and the richest diadem that the 
genius of the age can produce ? Nature and art, wealth and culture 
will here unitedly labor to create the grandest achievements possible 
to the human race. 

The people of the whole country, of the civilized world, in fact, 
are attracted to Florida as a haven of healthful rest, and yet of busy, 
enterprising activity. Few, indeed, are the localities on the whole 
wide earth's broad domain where health and wealth can be simul- 
taneously pursued and secured, and that, too, in a land where the sur- 
roundings are the most satisfying possible ; where every sense, feeling, 
aspiration and emotion that can give pleasure, or solid profit, is 
brought into healthfully active exercise. A land like Polk County, 
where severe and destructive diseases are unknown ; a land where the 
soil is as fertile as it can possibly be, consistently with universal 
health ; a land where the soil responds with royal munificence to the 
efforts of the cultivator, and where the variety of products, of grain, 
of vegetables, and of fruits is astonishingly large ; a land of fertile 
fields, beautiful lakes, charming valleys and running streams ; a land 
abundant in fish and game ; " a land fiowing with milk and honey ;" 
a land where the water is pure, soft, healthful, and easily obtained; a 
land Avhose soil is firm and compact, surprisingly free from dust, and 
mud, and stones ; a land of thrifty timber — beautiful pines and sturdy 
oaks predominating among the scores and scores and scores of other 
native trees ; a land of running and fruitful vines ; a land abounding 
in berries, in grapes, in a variety of wild fruits ; a land where the 
fruits and vegetables of the semi-tropics, as well as of the temperate 
zones, thrive, grow vigorously and produce abundantly ; a land where 
the mornings are unspeakably fragrant and delicious, the days radiant 
with bright sunshine, pleasantly obscured at intervals with beautiful 
clouds, that flit like watchful and beneficent angels athwart the face 
of the heavens, Avhile gentle breezes cool and renew the air. The 
evenings have a charm peculiarly their own — soft, soothing, restful, 
promotive of a love-like, delicious languor that well prepares one for 
a restful and refreshing night's sleep, after the labors and pleasures 
of the day. Of the nights themselves, it is impossible to overstate 
their charms, their solid, substantial advantages, as compared with the 
nights in other sections. Until realized by actual personal experience, 
no one can form any adequate conception of the healthful luxury that 
night gives. " He giveth His beloved sleep." Here the nights sub- 
serve their true purpose. Sleep comes as ordained by nature — restful, 



32 HOMELAND. 

refreshing, strengtheuihg. The sleeper awakes with the early dawn, 
thoroughly renewed in body and in mind, fully prepared for the 
duties and the privileges of the coming day. 

In Polk County there is no weai-ied tossing on burning couches, 
vainly seeking rest, gasping for a. breath of fresh air in a sultry, op- 
pressive, stifling atmosphere, as is so often ■ the case in interior coun- 
tries, during the heated term. On the contrary, as soon as the sun 
sets, a delicious sense of coolness pervades the atmosphere, permeating 
every locality to which the balsamic perfume-laden air has free access, 
increasing in degree as the night advances, until it culminates in the 
glorious deliciousness of the early morning, calm, tranquil, freshly 
odorous, and inspiring worthy thoughts and noble deeds. 

DIVERSIFIED APPEARANCE. 

The face of the country is varied, though neither generally flat 
nor hilly. The predominant growth is pine, though often interspersed 
with oak of diflerent varieties, persimmon, wild cherry, etc., which 
gives a very pleasing effect. Along the water courses, sweet and black 
gum, maple, cypress, cabbage palm,w'ild orange, whitewood,etc..are the 
chief growth. The numerous lovely lakes are a great attraction. The soil 
varies in different localities, but a large portion is of excellent quality, 
producing remunerative crops, without the aid of commercial fertil- 
izers. Ever since the first settlement, some thirty years since, the peo- 
ple have secured a generous support from the raising of cattle and 
cultivation of general farm crops. 

SOIL, WATER, CLIMATE. 

The land is peculiarly adapted to the growth of citrus fruits, and 
their quality is of the very finest. Strawberries are also a great suc- 
cess, as well as garden vegetables of all kinds. Fibrous plants also 
grow vigorously. The soil is a sandy loam, underlaid at varying 
depths with a stratum of clay. Water of excellent quality is secured 
at differing depths, the well diggers passing through several strata of 
alternating sand and clay, until the water-bearing strata of fine gravel 
and sandy clay is reached. The low latitude insures short and mild 
winters, sometimes without frost,, while the winds from Ocean and Gulf 
temper the heats of summer, making them much less oppressive than 
farther north, the extremes of temperature never being so great, in- 
suring deliciously cool and restful nights. 

The soil of Homeland is the choicest that can be found in the 
most healthy portions of healthful South Florida, and responds readily 
to the cultivator's demands, producing a majority of the fruits, vege- 
tables, flowers and woods grown by the civilized and enlightened 
nations of the whole world. 

In HoMELAis^ can be brought to profitable maturity a greater 
variety of products than any other section can boast. Its soil is so 
varied that here can be found every kind and quality that may be de- 
sired, high or low, rich or poor, all adapted to special and varied pro- 
ducts. Here are rich and productive fields, thrifty pines, vigorous 
a.nd enduring oaks, and a hundred or more other choice and desirable 
forest woods. 



IIOMKLAND. 33 

In Homeland are an abundance of lovely lakes, Jiiiminir f^ii'.-ams, 
beautiful vallejs, grass- covered hills and plains, that respond readily 
to the efforts and ilnibitions of those who may seek thereon to improve 
health or fortune. It is not a fairy land, but it is a land of practical 
and substantial realities. The earlier and the later sett lers heie have 
been self-supporting from the first. Nor have they had to endure the 
hardships of the pioneers of other sections. The land lias not been 
hard to clear, and it has responded readily to the cultivator's art, the 
earth producing abundantly. 

But, remarks the reader, this is all very pleasant and enc(jurag- 
ing, yet, I have often read glowing and enchanting accounts of other 
sections that made them appear a veritable paridise. The stern 
realities of bitter experience, however, dispelled these illusi>>ns and 
taught caution ; how shall I be assured to a certainty that Polk County 
is all that it is pictured in these pages? No one section has all the 
good things. The bitter ever mingles with the sweet, the evil with 
the good. It is thus throughout the whole realm of nature. What we 
denizens of other localites desire are the exact facts, the bad as well as 
the good, the unpleasant as well as the attractive features. 

The writer of these pages knows from his own experience that 
demands like the foregoing will be made, and justly, therefore he 
will earnestly endeavor fairly, squarelv and conscientiously to present 
as plain, truthful and unexagerated a picture of Polk County as it 
is possible to make. 

Before coming to Florida, in 1881, he had had an extended and 
active experience for nearly half a century in the Eastern, Middle 
and Western States, as well as in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia,, 
and therefore is not only well acquaiTited with the characteristics, re- 
sources,capabilities and advatages possessed by those important sections 
of the country, but with their disadvantages also. He well knows the 
character, aims and aspirations of the Northern and Western people, 
the difficulties with w'hich they have to contend their annoyances, the 
hardships consequent upon the storms, drouths and vigorous in- 
clemencies of the seasons, and compare them fiiithfully and honestly 
with the conditions in this and other parts of Florida. His locks have 
been duly bleached by the frosts of many winters, and his enthusiasm 
tempered by experience and adversit}-. Fie may not have lost his 
youthful fire and earnestness, but he has been schooled by the cares 
and duties of active life to close observation, thoughtful reflection and 
carefulness of expression. 

For several years before coming to Florida he received the news- 
papers of all sections of the State, as exchanges, and studied theiu 
carefully ; also, many books and pamphlets regarding Florida. His 
health steadily improving since reaching here, he has personally 
studied South Florida from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, 
the results of his observations being published in various Northern 
newspapers and magazines, and in the local press of South Florida. 
He was also the author of " Orangeland," the Orange County pamph- 
let, and has devoted his time and abilities to securing as thorough a 
knowledge as possible of the characteristics, resources and advantages 
possessed by the different sections of South Florida. 

Thus far, no one has accused him of exaggeration or misrepre- 



34 HOMELAND. 

sentation, and his constant aim has been to neither flatter the country 
nor the people, but to give such unequivocal information as may be of 
the greatest benefit to inquiring minds svherever they may be located. 
In writing this work, at the solicitation of leading citizens of Polk 
County, who desire the exact facts to be made known, the same rule is 
observed. 

" But," the interested reader will say, " you have given the poetry of 
Polk County ; give us the plain prose. We shall be glad to enjoy 
every delight, every comfort and luxury that Polk County has to give, 
but the first practical question is, how shall we so invest our moderate 
means that, with our labor, we can secure a livelihood and an increas- 
ing competence for our old age and for our children." 

The question is a pertinent one to the majority who come to Flor- 
ida, to Polk County, to the true Homeland. The wealthy — and 
many of this class are coming to Florida — can get along without diffi- 
culty anywhere, yet I have noticed that they are quite as careful in 
regard to their investments, and in the choice of a location for a home 
as are those possessed of less means. To them Polk Cotinty offers at- 
tractive inducements in the most delightful climate anywhere to be 
found, in the very choicest of building sites, with or without lake 
fronts, in an enterprising and very rapidly increasing population, no- 
where excelled for good qualities, in ready access to the other parts of 
the country by the lines of enterprising railroads, in chances for 
profitable business, in sure and speedy increase of fortune by invest . 
ments in land. 

To people of moderate means, the first necessity is a place to live. 
Unless they have acquaintances in other sections near whom they in 
tend to locate, their objective point will be rapidly-growing Bartow 
the county seat. This is reached by the South Florida Railroad, either 
from Tampa, on the Gulf of Mexico, or by way of Jacksonville, from 
Sanford, on Lake Monroe, at the head of navigation, by large steam- 
boats, of the St. Johns River. Or, the Florida Southern Railroad be- 
ing completed from Jacksonville to Lakeland, in Polk County, where 
it forms a junction with the South Florida Railroad, will be a favor- 
ite route with many, as it runs north and south through the interior 
of the State. It is expected that this road will be extended to Bar- 
tow, Fort Meade and beyond, the present season, opening up one of 
the very finest tracts of country in Florida. The South Florida is 
soon to be extended also, and several other lines are chartered, travers- 
ing various parts of the county, and will soon be built. There is also 
an all-rail route from Jacksonville to Orlando, thence to Bartow — 
broad gauge as far as Orlando. This runs through the finest and most 
developed portions of the State. 

Reaching Polk County, a few days will be judiciously devoted to 
examining the merits of different sections, and the advantages oflfered, 
by the varied properties. Bartow has good hotels and boarding-houses 
whose charges are moderate — one to two dollars per day, but less by 
the week — and there are active real estate agents who will gladly 
show you the country. 

Everything looks strange to the new-comer. The contour of the 
country and the vegetation is difterent. The soil, a sandy loam, un- 
derlaid with clay in the best sections, is totally unlike the soils of the 



HOMELAND. 35 

^orth and the West, yet the growing crops and the thrifty and abun- 
•dant vegetation prove that it has surprising elements of fertility. 
There is a firm, substantial tread to the land, totally unlike that of 
many other sections of Florida, which is a pleasant surprise to the 
visitor. Though essentially a pine country, the abundance of vigorous 
oaks that greet the eye in every direction, on the uplands as well as in 
the valleys, give a character of solid, substantial permanence that con- 
firms the impression that this is the best and the most desirable portion 
of Florida, and that it will speedily be thickly dotted with beautiful 
homes. It is the true Homeland, soil and climate, productiveness 
and healthfulness, with comparative freedom from troublesome and 
annoying insect pests and harmful reptiles, combining to make life 
here not only endurable, but delightful, profitable, and pleasant. A 
livelihood is easily secured here, while a competence or a fortune re- 
quires but little effort, when combined with active and intelligent 
judgment. As the, prospector goes over the country he finds a great 
variety of locations. To secure the most profitable requires not only 
intelligent judgment, but assistance from those acquainted with the 
country. 

Where to locate depends upon the designs, the contemplated 
business of the locator, his desires as regards society, and the amount 
of capital at his disposal. If he designs engaging in mercantile busi- 
ness, or kindred pursuits, he should locate either in a town, or where a 
"trade centre will soon be established. Bartow is the county seat, and 
is likely to remain such as long as Polk County exists. Therefore, 
there is a fixed centre that is sure to increase rapidly in population, 
■while landed property will constantly augment in value. It has also 
a superior back country surrounding it, that will make this the grand 
centre, shipping and receiving their supplies from here, and here estab- 
lishing new industries. 

There is no present prospect that Polk County will have any 
large cities, as compared with cities at the North, but there is every 
indication that it will soon be very thickly populated, with a residence 
on every acre or two of the more healthful and desirable lands, the 
produce from which, with the intensive system of culture, will be 
sufficient to maintain each family in comfort, and even in luxury. 
This will compel trade centres every three or four miles at the far- 
thest, with post-office, telegraph, telephone, and express offices, schools, 
churches, stores, and public libraries. In many of these social centres 
varied manufactories will be established, to supply the wants of the 
community and provide articles for shipment. 

People will come here in multitudes, as soon as the superior at- 
tractions of the climate, the agreeable healthfulness and the encour- 
aging ease of securing a livelihood here become known, as they are 
sure to be in a brief period. There is great activity here now, but it 
is not a drop in the bucket, compared with what will soon be seen. 
Prices of lauds, now moderate, will double and double with so aston- 
ishing rapidity as to be beyond the reach of all, except those of con- 
siderable means. Thousands will secure fortunes in the advance in 
the price of lands. Hence, those who are on the ground first will have 
the best opportunity to secure fortunes, with no effort except that 
.arising from intelligent and judicious investments. 



36 HOMELAND. 

Polk County already has two railroad lines, the South Florida 
and the Florida Southern. They strike the county in its northern 
portion, and will extend through the county from north to south. 
These, with their branches, and with other contemplated lines, will 
bring every section within easy reach of railroad transportation to any 
part of the Union. 

Many will deem it most desirable to locate along the lines already 
built. That will give a present convenience and a certainty as to the 
future, but the lands are held at higher prices. Along the route of 
contemplated railroad lines are many excellent bargains in land, the 
prices of which will greatly increase when the roads are built, which 
will doubtless be done at a very early period. Away from the rail- 
road lines completed, and those prospective, that are certain to be 
built, the very best judgment of the locator is necessary, in order to 
make the best possible investment ; for, the qualities of the location 
being otherwise equal, lands within a mile of a railroad depot are sure 
to be of considerable more value than those farther away, though, at 
present prices, I know of no lands but will eventually prove profitable 
investments, and before the close of the present century it is probable 
that every desirable locality here will be within two or three miles of 
a railroad, at farthest. 

Though Polk County has not had the advantages of railroad 
transportation to its county seat, Bartow, until the present year, and 
to no part of the county until the year previous; people who visit 
it are surprised at the extent and the rapidity of its development. 
There is here a character of progress and substantiability that does 
not fail to fiivorably impress every one who investigates the condition 
and the j)rospects of this section. The buildings of the earlier settlers 
Avere mostly small and unpretentious, as well as widely scattered. 
They were all that the few and simple wants of stock-growers and 
general farmers requi;-ed in so mild and genial a climate. Most of 
them set out a few orange trees for home supply. 

Few groves were set in Polk County until since the commence- 
ment of the present decade, but the few trees about the cabins showed 
that both soil and climate were peculiarly adapted to their vigorous 
growth and prolific yield of the delicious golden fruit. With the 
progress of the South Florida Pailroad from Sanford, and the fast in- 
creasing certainty of speedy railroad transportation, numbers of groves 
were set, especially on that wonderful tract of beautiful and fertile 
country that extends from north to south a few miles each side of 
Peace River, Bartow being near the northern, and Fort ^leade near 
the southern portion. Numbers of these groves are now yielding 
abundant returns, and well illustrate the great capabilities of the 
country, especially the few that were set eight or ten years since. 
To see is to believe. 

The past two years have shown an immense and remarkable de- 
velopment in every respect. People are locating here from every 
State in the Union, and the population is doubling rapidly. Hundreds 
of new groves are being set, and many acresoflandbeing rapidly cleared. 
New substantial, commodious and elegant buildings are being erected^ 
that will compare favorably with those of any section of the State. In 



HOMELAND. 37 

fact, no part of the country shows more active, rapid and substantial 
development. Its destiny is secure and glorious. 

To decide upon the location where you will make your home is 
not the easiest matter in the world, as there seem to be so many things 
to be considered ; so many conflicting claim-;, advantages and disad- 
vantages. There is the nearness to, or distance from, a present or 
future centre, the comparative fertility of the soil, the relative health- 
fulness, the natural beauty of one location as compared with another, 
the actual market value of the land positive and comparative, the 
chances of the future importance of the several localities, the pros- 
pective main routes of travel, etc. All these things are to be considered, 
if one would do the best possible. 

So many new and divergent ideas are likely to be crowded on the 
prospector's consideration that he will be fortunate if he is not attacked 
by mental dyspepsia or indigestion, and rendered unable to properly 
digest the heterogenous information received from all sources. There 
is one consolation and encouragement, however, and that is, if he does 
not locate in a low and undrainable locality, or on barren scrub or 
sand-hills, he is sure, at present prices, to make a good invest- 
ment and one that will pa}'. Some will do even better than this, and 
secure prizes, but though all can be thoroughly assured of doing well, 
who will secure the larger prizes none can tell. Luck and chance, 
as well as judgment, here come into play. The unexpected location 
of a road, of a manufactory, or of some unanticipated enterprise, are 
things that the wisest cannot foresee, and this kind of lightning is 
liable to strike anywhere. Perhaps the new comer himself may be 
the conductor that will bring it to his location. To a certain extent, 
as in Oriental countries, "it is the unexpected that happens," mainly, 
however, the conditions are determined by sound judgment and active 
energy. To a great extent the new comer must rely upon the opin- 
ions of his intelligent and conscientious acquaintances who have se- 
cured a knowledge of the country by experience, yet it will not do to 
place too implicit confidence in any one. Not that they would in- 
tentionally misrepresent or mislead, but from the fact that every one 
soon gets very positive opinions here, and I have yet to find the first 
land-owner who did not veritably believe that, taking all things into 
consideiation, he had the very best location anywhere to be found in 
the State. Hence, all who have been here a few years are happy, con- 
tented and hopeful. INIost men are ready to sell a part of their hold- 
ing that they may secure neighbors and the means for more extensive 
improvements ; or the whole, because they know where they can rein- 
vest their money to greater advantage. None sell to leave the country. 
They appreciate the country and its solid, substantial future prospects too 
highly to return to their former homes. They are here to stay and 
grow up with the country. 

Having secufed a location, the first thing to do is to clear, fence 
and build. Polk County is a land of substantial fences. Unless you 
have abundant means, better clear and fence only an acre at first. Do 
not go to work with the idea that you can do everything in a day, a 
month, or even a year. Make ha.ste slowly. Build comfortably, but 
not extravagantly. Do not use up all your means in building, even 
though some of your neighbors may have a finer house than you can 
now comfortably afford. It will come by and by. Your money, if 



38 HOMELAND. 

your means are somewhat limited, can be used to better advantage in 
making a grove, a pine-apple orchard, a strawberry field, or iu getting^ 
some other fruit well on the way to bearing. A little spare cash al- 
ways comes handy. AVhile getting started, your outgo will probably 
exceed your income. I am not now speaking of those extra smart peo- 
ple who, by sharp trades, can pay their way as they go, nor of those 
exceptionally fortui^ate ones who secure big crops the first year, and 
sell them at the very highest prices. Numbers do have such expe- 
periences here, but my remarks are intended for ordinary mortals,. 
like myself, who secure results by patient and continued industry. 
All steady, persistent workers are sure to thrive, if they do not yield 
too much to their ambition, and overwork at first. I have had the 
experience, consequently I am entitled to give advice. You have 
every day in the year to labor, therefore don't rush to show how much 
smarter you are than your neighbors. People don't brag on big days' 
work, but the contrary, in this country. They could if they chose, but 
there is no use in it. There is plenty of time. If you have a few 
acres of land, the increase in value of that alone will make you rich. 
Smaller tracts, with groves properly cared for, will accomplish the 
same result. 

The man who would succed here, and be happy and contented,, 
should be a land-owner. He should be his own master. A man may 
secure a livelihood by working for others for wages, but no man ever 
got rich that way. It is frequently necessary to get a start by work- 
ing for wages. Work and save and invest. Our most successful men 
have done that at first. You can do likewise if you are short of funds,. 
but, if you have sufficient means to live, it will pay you much better 
to work upon your own place and improve it. If you are skillful and 
intelligent you will accomplish more by steady work and careful super- 
vision than any man you can hire. 

I do not mean by this that you should individually do all the 
necessary preliminary or later work, but that it should be done under 
your own careful supervision, at least. You should be employer, in- 
stead of employed, if possible. Some people, however, are only capa- 
ble of Avorking successfully by working for others. Others have a 
special talent or capacity in certain fields of labor that enables them 
to secure large wages. In such cases, I repeat, secure a tract of land 
and have it improved, even if you have to hire others to do the work 
while you are otherwise engaged. You have made a start in the right 
direction. 

The main future dependence will be in your grove. " What," you 
ask, "can I do for a living while the grove is coming into bearing?" 
This is a pertinent and important question, for, with the best trees you 
can set for a grove — three-year-old trees — it will be five years before you 
can receive much income from them, and it will be several years more 
before they are in full bearing. It would be poor policy to sit doAvn 
and wait all these years, simply cultivating the trees. But there are 
other matters that can profitably engage your attention, making the 
tree cultivation a mere incident. 

Those who have tried it, have met with great success raising veg- 
etables on the same land. In fact, the growth of the trees is promoted by 
the cultivation given to the vegetables. The only requisite is, that no- 



HOMELAND. 39 

more shall be taken from the soil than is returned in the way of added 
fertilizers. The best lands will bring a grove to bearing without the 
aid of fertilizers, but there is no land tha,t is not benefitted by their ap- 
plication. On the best lands, however, but little is required. You 
could probably get along without any for several years, but its appli- 
cation would be judicious, and would pay well as an investment. 

Small fruits might be raised on a portion of your land. They 
would give quicker returns and would tide over the period of waiting 
for the grove to bear. Pine-apples will make returns the second year, 
and will find a ready home market at excellent prices. Strawberries 
set in September will give ample and profitable returns the following 
spring. They are peculiarly adapted to the soil and the climate. 
They not only find a ready market at home, but can be shipped North 
at a time to receive the very highest prices. But why enumerate ? A 
variety of articles can be raised that will give quick returns. 

Another important industry, the proceeds of which find a ready 
market, and give quick and profitable returns, is the raising of eggs 
and poultry. There is a lively and continuous demand for both, and 
they are never a drug in the market, but command ready sales at 
good prices. The climate is peculiarly adapted to this industry. 
Chickens can be hatched any and every month in the year, and thrive 
wonderfully with very little care. You must, however, either fence 
in your garden or your poultry. They are a great benefit to orange 
trees, as they scratch just about as deep as an orange tree ought to 
be cultivated. Their droppings are also quite valuable as a fertilizer. 

Bees do extremely well, and those who have a taste for apiculture 
could secure quite a revenue from this source. Florida honey is not 
only equal to, but superior to, that of any other section. In this regard, 
even California has to take second place. 

The raising of roses and other flowers for shipment to Northern 
cities is soon to be a very important industry. This pleasant occupa- 
tion will give abundant and profitable returns. 

Vegetables of all kinds grow rapidly and abundantly, and there 
is a rapidly increasing home as well as a Northern market. The 
leading standard articles for shipment are : cabbages, beans, cucum- 
bers, tomatoes, beets, radishes, cauliflower, egg-plant, etc., etc. 

Sweet corn, of the very finest quality, matures early, and might be 
placed in the markets of New York and other cities weeks before they 
could get a supply from any other source. The same is true of melons, 
squashes, etc. In fact, the lands of Polk County are peculiarly adapted 
to the speedy and early growth of all kinds of vegetables, and the en- 
terprising can secure fortunes from that source alone, and another 
fortune from their orange grove. 

What, then, does the fertile land and de'icious climate of Polk 
County offer to its active citizens as a source of livelihood, while 
growing an orange grove, that shall be a lasting fortune to them and 
to their descendants for many generations — offering advantages supe- 
rior to any other part of Florida ? Let us see, commencing with those 
industries that yield the quickest returns : 

First. — There is the whole range and variety of vegetables. 

Second. — Poultry are easily reared and give excellent profits. 

Third. — Strawberries and other small fruits. 



40 - HOMELAND. 

Fourth. — Bees and honey. 

Fifth. — Roses and other flowering plants. 

Sixth. — Pine-apples. Some winters these will need a slight pro- 
tection a few nights against a light frost, as there is no such thing as 
a frost line in Florida. The low latitude of Polk County,, however, 
gives almost complete immunity, and it can be readily seen that at the 
same elevation, the lower the latitude the greater the exemption. Its 
lake protection is also tlie most complete of any locality in Florida, 
being located chiefly in the northern and northeastern part of the 
county. It must also be remend^ered that these lakes receive the 
winds after much of the frost has been extracted by passing over the 
lakes in the counties still further north. Hence, if those sections 
have any exemption because of their bodies of water — and that they 
have is unquestionable — Polk County is, and must be, doubly pro- 
tected. This is an important fact to be considered, and is one reason 
why the people of Polk have green corn, melons, strawberries, etc., etc., 
from Christmas to the 4th of July, as well as other fruits and vegeta- 
bles at all seasons of the year. 

Indisputable facts like the foregoing, once presented and duly 
considered, cannot justly fail to convince all, desiring to better their 
condition, that Polk County presents unequalled advantages as the 
inducenient for them to locate within her borders. 

Until the near advent of railroad transportation, the residents of 
Polk County, being chiefly stock raisers, had little or no desii-e for an 
increase of immigration, as all accessions of new settlers decreased the 
range for stock, and, having no facilities of transportation, no outlet 
by railroad or steamboat, they could derive no income from either 
fruit or vegetables, consequently they were disinclined to have the 
superior resources and advantages of this, the very choicest portion of 
the State, know^n except to their immediate friends. The South Flor- 
ida Railroad has come, other roads are coming speedily, and the era 
of progress has commenced with greater vigor than in any other sec- 
tion of the State. The flow of the tide that leads on to fortune 
is rapidly increasing, and those who desire to secure the best possible 
advantages should not delay in their coming. A glorious opportunity 
is offered to all who desire to improve either health or fortune. This 
is pre-eminently the Homeland, and it will be speedily occupied by 
increasing thousands and tens of thousands. Here will be made the 
choicest, the most delightful homes that the whole world aflbrds. 
Here will be found every luxury, every appliance of comfort and de- 
light that the civilized world affords. Here is a climate without a 
peer — unequalled in winter and in summer. The winters are mild, 
delicious and delightful. The summers are cooler and more enjoyable 
than in more northern portions of the State. It is a peculiarity of this 
portion of the peninsula that should be considered and remembered, 
viz: That this section is warmer in winter and cooler in summer than 
the sections further north. No tornadoes nor cyclones have ever 
passed through this section, and its location is such that those de- 
va.stating storms are here impossible. Being in the interior of the 
peninsula it is protected from the storms that rage on the Atlantic and 
Gulf Coasts. In fact, a more favorable location does not seem pos- 
sible. 



HOMELAND. . 41 

" But," says the reader, " you have given the bright and the pleas- 
ant, what are the darker and more sombre colors. Those are necessary 
to complete the picture." 

Let us analyze the matter carefully and plainly state every draw- 
back, every disagreeable fact that prevents Polk County from being 
a perfect Eden on earth. The unpleasant is not as agreeable to dwell 
upon as the pleasant, but it is essential to the purpose of this work, 
which is to represent things exactly as they are. Some of the days 
fire stormy, disagreeable, unpleasant, though the number of such days 
is much less than in the continental parts of America. 

A light fii-e is needed, a few, a very few, days in winter, when the 
mercury drops below G0° or 65°, especially such mornings and even- 
ings, to dispel the chill. 

The rays of the sun during the mid-hours of the summer days 
are very hot and piercing. The slightest shade interposed, however — 
an umbrella, a tree or a roof, or a passing cloud — gives a refreshing 
sense of coolness. In fact, however hot in the sun, the constant cool 
breeze always insures a comfortably-cool place. The air is neither 
sultry nor suifocating. The most oppressive time is usually from seven 
to nine o'clock in the morning, before the refreshing effects of the sea 
breeze is felt. 

The frequent, almost daily, show^ers during the Avet season of the 
summer months are frequently inconvenient, but the occasional wet- 
tings do no actual harm, not causing colds, as at the North, though it 
is disagreeable to be wet. These showers cool the air and cause all 
kinds of vegetation to grow very rapidly. They are actually one of 
the good, instead of the bad features of the climate. The necessary 
out-door work is the lightest during the hot and rainy season, instead 
of the heaviest, as in other portions of the Union. The showers usu- 
ally come in the afternoons of the hottest days, but there are no barns 
to be filled with hay, and very little cultivation or harvesting is re- 
quired during the summer months. Few crops mature during the 
fervid heats of summer. No work is then pressing the one who is 
fairly settled. It is a time of natural, not enforced, idleness, and is 
much more agreeable than the necessary cessation of out-door 
farm labor at the North during the cold and severe winters. Extremes 
are disagreeable anywhere. Here the cold of winter is omitted, while 
the summers are much more pleasant and enjoyable than at the North. 
The same fact is also true of every other season of the year. Hence, 
as regards the seasons, separately or collectively, Polk County has 
greatly the advantage as regards Northern localities. 

The labor of clearing land, felling trees, grubbing out roots and 
making fences is no more difficult or disagreeable than at the North. ' 
In fact, it is less so, as there are no stones in the way. The labor of 
cultivation is also less, and much easier here. There is also no inter- 
ruption from frost, ice and snow, which makes a great saving of time 
and expense in favor of Polk County. 

Here one loses the pleasure of doing the hardest and most ex- 
haustive work during the hottest months, to fill barns, granaries and 
cellars with hay. grain and roots to be fed to stock on the most frosty 
mornings and the coldest and most disagreeable days. 

The residents of Polk County lose the pleasure and profit derived 



42 HOMELAND. 

from frozen fingers, ears and toes. Another disagreeable matter is 
the fact that ice has to be made artificially here. As nature is not 
in the ice-making business the boys and girls cannot go skating on the 
ponds, lakes and rivers, as at the North, but go boating instead at all 
seasons of the year. Other luxuries that the youth here have to fore- 
go are those of sliding down hill, building snow-men and houses, 
throwing snow-balls and fishing through the ice. Nor do they have 
the pleasure of wallowing through snow-drifts, shoveling roads through 
the snow or going sleigh-riding. They manage to do their courting 
all the same, however. 

Another disagreeable feature of Polk County, much missed by 
Northern and Western people, is the speedy drying of the ground and 
vegetation within a few minutes after each shower, which prevents 
those disposed to take a walk, from enjoying the pleasure of wet feet 
and attendant colds and rhuematism. Another thing much missed 
is the lack of mud here, the porous soil absorbing the water instead of 
permitting it to stand in puddles in the road. There is also such an 
absence of dust that the course of carriages cannot be traced by 
clouds of dust, and the occupants are prevented from enjoying the 
familiar luxury of dust-baths so familiar to Northern and Western 
people. There are other equally enjoyable luxuries common to other 
sections that people here are compelled to forego, but those mentioned 
will suffice. 

"Each matchless morning marches from the East 

In tints inimitable and divine ; 
Each perfect noon sustains the endless feast, 

In which the wedded cliarnis of life combine; 
Sweet evening waits till golden day, released. 

Shall lead her blushing down the world's decline. 



WHERE AND WHAT IS FLORIDA? 



In deference to the wishes of the publishers, and for the conven- 
ience of those who have a thousand times read and re-read the history 
of Florida, from the year of its discovery to the present time, I will 
endeavor to give a brief outline of the more salient points, beginning 
with the earliest records. 

Geologically speaking, Florida is of very recent formation, although 
that was doubtless millions of years ago. The learned savans say it 
is like a book with only the title page and last chapter inclosed be- 
tween the covers. That is to say, that its foundation, being the primi- 
tive granite, the usual succeeding formations are omitted until reach- 
ing the limestone and like strata of a recent epoch. As there has 
been no thorough geological survey of the State, though one is much 
needed and would unquestionably repay the cost a hundred-fold, the 
statement may be considered as theoretical instead of an actual cer- 
tainty. The State is, however, unquestionably one- of recent develop- 
ment and still in process of formation. In process of time those 
ndustrious workers, the coral insects, which, like the trout, love swift 
running water, will undoubtedly connect Florida with the island of 
Cuba; the Mississippi and other rivers, that year by year deposit 
immense quantities of soil and drift in the Gulf of Mexico, will 
eventually fill it, and Floi'ida will not only cease to be a peninsula, 
but will lose a great charm of its delicious climate — the cool night 
breeze from the Gulf. This fact should be a warning to those 
thoughtful ones who contemplate a permanent residence in Polk 
County. 

Advancing to pre-historic times we find that the Mound Builders 
"were the first inhabitants who have left any recognizable trace of their 
occupation. Whether they wei'e the first settlers, or whether then, as 
in these recent years, an irresistible wave of immigration poured from 
the North into this delectable land, must ever remain a matter of 
conjecture. Let the wise men discuss the probabilities. 

For aught we know, Florida may have been the site of the veri- 
table Garden of Eden, some of the streams running in such a manner 
as to make it easy for a skilful philologist and geographer to find 
their counterpart in the description in Genesis of the streams from 
whence "a mist went up to water the garden." In the land of 
Havillah there was gold. That doubtless referred to Georgia. Noah's 
ark doubtless floated across the sea to Mount Ararat. The length of 
his voyage unquestionably gave sufiicient time. I leave the full 
elucidation of the matter to those deeply versed in Biblical lore, 
without charge for the suggestion. AVe know that Polk County is in 



44 HOMELAND. 

about the same latitude as the supposed site of the sacred garden, and 
also, that it is in the same zone as the greatest and most prosprous 
cities of antiquity. This is another 'matter for profitable considera- 
tion. 

Scientists tell us that the birth-place of the human race must 
have been near the sea-shore and in the southern edge of the North 
Temperate Zone. Both these conditions are better fulfilled by 
Florida than by any other portion of the known world, its system of 
interior lakes and water courses of both salt and fresh water, its 
numerous bays and lagoons, and its very superior climatic conditions, 
giving it the precedence over all other localities in the matter of de- 
sirability. These facts being duly considered, it becomes evident that 
here is a favorable locality for the genius of the nineteenth century 
to create and develop one of the most prosperous, wealthy and power- 
ful of States. 

The early Greek M-riters tell us of the famous city of Atlantis, 
westward of the Gates of Hercules (now known as the Strait of 
Gibraltar), and interesting articles have been composed by modern 
authors on the subject. But I will leave to others the tracing of any 
connection between that wonderful locality and Florida. It was in 
this direction, and its site remains undetermined. 

In more modern times, the daring Scandinavian voyagers, from 
Norway and Iceland, visited Greenland and planted colonies there. 
They also sailed southward along the east coast of North America. 
This was about the close of the tenth centur}: . There is, however, no 
evidence that they visted Florida. 

Columbus, on his first voyage in search of a route to the Indies, 
discovei-ed San Domingo, October 14th, 1492, and on a later voyage 
the coast of South America, but he had no idea of the existence of 
Florida, In 1497, Sebastian Cabot discovered North America, but 
did not proceed as fiir southward as Florida. In 1512 or 1513, Juan 
Ponce de Leon, having heard reports in the West Indies of a wonder- 
ful youth-restoring fountain, that would smooth the wrinkles of age 
and restore the whiteness, smoothness, vigor and agility of youth to 
the one who drank its waters, made diligent inquiry and learned that 
it lay to the westward. After an extended cruise he reached the un- 
known coast of Florida, March 27th, on Palm or Easter Sunday, land- 
ing near Fernandina, April 2d. May 1st, 15(i2, a colony of French 
Protestants, under command of Jean Ribaut, entered the St. Johns^ 
River. Another colony of Huguenots left France, April, 1564, landed 
at St. Augustine, but located at St, John's Bluff, on the St. Johns 
River. The next year the French colonists were massacred by the 
Spanish under Menendez. In 1507, Dominie de Gourges avenged this 
act by the destruction of the Catholics. jNIay 30, 1539, Hernando De 
Soto landed at Tampa with a large force, sent his ships back to the 
West Indies, and marched through the interior of the country as far 
as Geoi'gia, and thence to the westward in the search for gold and 
populous cities, Avhich were not to be found. 

jNIattcrs were then quiet in Florida for many years, the lithe, 
hardy and freedom-loving native Indians, who had occupied the 
country from time immemorial, being alienated by the cruelties of the 
Spaniards, successfully resisted them, and attempts to subdue and 



HOMELAND. 45 

colonize the country were abandoned until it passed into the hands of 
the English, February 13, 1763. A few attempts at settlement were 
made, but abandoned in 1783, when it was re-ceded to Spain. 

The United States made a treaty with Spain in 1819, making- 
Florida a part of our domain, the transfer taking place July lOlh,, 
1821. It then became a Territory, with General^ Andrew Jackson as 
Military Governor. May 3d, 1822, Congress established a civil govern- 
ment and William P. Duval was appointed Governor. 

The Indians held the whole State, with the exception of a few 
military posts on the coast and along the northern border, and 
troubles with them continued frequent. While under Spanish rule it 
had become a resort for desperadoes, and those guilty of crime in the 
States to the North, which retarded development and tranquility. 
December 28, 1835, a fearful Indian war was commenced by the 
massacre of Colonel Dade and his force of 115 men, and a general 
uprising of the Indians to resist removal to the west of the Mississippi 
River, which had been determined upon by the General Government. 
It lasted until 1842, the Indians being subdued. This year the 
Armed Occupation Act was passed to hold the land by force. 

March 3, 1845, the State was admitted to full membership in the 
Union. The State progressed slowly, Indian troubles from 1855 to 
1859 keeping matters in an unsettled condition and retarding emigra- 
tion and development. January 10, 18H1, the State seceded and 
joined the Southern Confederacy. The war being over, the State re- 
turned to the Union, October 28, 1865. Since then the development 
has been very rapid, surely and steadily augmenting from year to 
year. 

At first the immigrants were mostly from the Southern States, 
near the northern border, mostly from Georgia, though there have 
been increasing numbers from South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi 
and other States. 

The people of the North did not begin to take much interest in 
Florida until after 1875. The State had been a Spanish possession from 
the time of its discovery,in 1512 or 1513 (the exact year is unknown), 
until it passed into the possession of the United States, in 1821, with 
the exception of the English occupancy from 1763 to 1783; and where 
Spain rules, civilization languishes. Her power is the bane to progress. 
After this the Indian troubles kept things in a turmoil until all 
culminated in the civil war, which impoverished the whole South. Is 
it any wonder that Florida had made so little progress up to the 
opening of the present decade, although she has the most delicious 
climate in the world, a soil and productions that give the greatest and 
the most profitable returns to the acre of any State of the Union, a 
land where seed-time and harvest go hand in hand, where crops grow 
every month in the year, successive productions being taken from the 
same piece of ground ; a land where the cultivator can work in hia 
field every day in the year, if he chooses ; a land where nearly every 
production and industry can thrive ; where labor, energy and in- 
telligence secure a sure reward ; where one's needs, wants and ne- 
cessities are less than in other portions of the country, and the neces- 
saries of life more easily obtained ; where provision does not have to 
be made for bitter and inclement winters ; where the summers are; 



46 HOMELAND. 

pleasant, comfortable and enjoyable ; where the poor man can secure 
a competence for himself and family, and the man of means increas- 
ing wealth and fortune ; where bitter storms can never come; where 
the general healthfulness is greater than that of any other State ; 
where acclimatizing fevers are unknown ; where the most virulent 
diseases of other sections, pneumonia, diphtheria, typhoid fever' 
phthisis, yellow fever, hydrophobia, sun-stroke andseveral other destruc- 
tive ailments, are either unknown or very rare; where malaria is not 
prevalent ; where the occasional sickness is of a milder type than in 
other States, and yields rapily to proper medical treatment ; a land 
where there is abundant and profitable employment ; where beauteous 
homes can be easily made, and where flowers bloom all the year ? 

The enumeration might be continued for pages. Such are a few 
of the inducements offered by that choicest and most delectable por- 
tion of the State, Polk County. Great as may be the charms of other 
portions of the State, and there are many, Polk County claims to sur- 
pass them all in desirability and attractiveness. It is the centre of 
the most delicious and delightful zone the State affords. Her people 
are not given to boasting and self-praise ; they present the solid at- 
tractions, that those who see may understand. Polk County makes 
no depreciative or invidious comparison with other sections. Their 
attractions are great and genuine. Where there is a good there may 
be a better, and Polk unhesitatingly claims the best. Come, see and 
believe. 

The northern part of the State has many attractions, and was the 
first settled. The growth there has not been rapid. The climate, soil 
and productions are essentially the same as those of the adjacent 
Southern States. Being further south, the climate is somewhat milder, 
but being a part of the continental portion of the United States, the 
characteristics of the peninsula are absent. It has, however, a variety 
of charms and attractions that will eventually ensure its development. 

It was the fashion and the custom until quite recently to decry 
South Florida. Parties interested in the northern, or continental part 
of the State, represented it to be a vast swamp, interspersed with bar- 
ren sand hills. They claimed that it was virtually uninhabitable by 
man, being the home of alligators, poisonous serpents and other disa- 
greeable vermin, and so malarious and insect-infested that civilized 
man could not exist. Also, that the heat was too intense to be endured. 
These phantoms of their selfish imaginations have been dispelled by 
the light of knowledge derived from actual experience, and South 
Florida is found to be the most delightful and the most healthful part 
of the State. Its products are also found to be the most valuable and 
the most reliable. As it becomes better and better known, immigra- 
tion is pouring into this jDortion of the State much more rapidly than 
into any other, and active towns and busy, bustling cities are spring- 
ing up as if by magic, especially through the central portion from the 
Atlantic to the Gulf. Railroads are also being built here very rapidly. 
Everywhere energetic progress is manifest. 

The Indian troubles that continued until 1859, not only prevented 
any considerable settlement in this southern peninsula, but it also kept 
the old-time planters from locating here with their slaves. Conse- 
quently this favored portion of Florida is not encumbered with the 



HOMELAND. 47 

flotsam and the jetsam left by the late war in the more northern por- 
tions of the State. South Florida is ruled by white men without any 
fear of negro suiDremacy. It does not need any peculiar provisions to 
be inserted in the State Constitution to prevent the intelligence and 
wealth of the community from being helplessly outnumbered and 
overridden by a large, ignorant, servile population with whom they 
have and can have no sympathy. This is the land of the free, not the 
slave. 

It is only a decade since the tide of Northern emigration began to 
be attracted to Southern Florida. They reached it by the St. Johns 
River, landing atSanford. Previous to this time the most of the little 
emigration to the State, and more especially to South Florida, was 
from the Southern States. About ten years ago there was a little 
spurt of Northern immigration. The majority spread out from San- 
ford, on Lake Monroe, the head of large steamboat navigation on the 
St. Johns River, throughout Orange County. A few stopped oft' in 
Volusia County, notably at DeLand. A few small and feeble colonies 
located on the Atlantic Coast, the colony from New Britain, Conn., 
locating at Ormond, on the Halifax River, being the most notable. 
Orange County made a beginning, but it was eighty-five 
miles through the primeval forest without roads or bridges to the 
capital of Polk County. Northern people did not wish to bury them- 
selves in the woods away from all the privileges that civilization af- 
fords, and they did not come. Besides being unknown, this whole 
southern region was considered virtually uninhabitable. 

The wheels of Time continued to revolve and 1880 appeared on 
its dials. The few newspapers, the occasional letters from the happy 
and prosperous settlers, and the testimony of the increasing number of 
prospectors, wielded a powerful influence in attracting the attention 
of the people of the whole North. The tide of emigration to the West 
had reached and overleaped the Rocky Mountains, and there was a 
rebound. They too began to turn their attention to Florida. What 
Western people do, they do on a grand scale, with vim and energetic 
push. They have less timid conservatism than the people of the East. 
They are broader and more liberal in their views. They are more 
ready to adapt themselves to changed conditions, to pull off' their 
coats and go in to win. 

Western as well as Eastern people are coming to South Florida. 
With their combined energy and means, they are making lovely 
homes, building thriving towns and busy, bustling cities in the tier of 
counties to the North of Polk ; in Volusia, Orange, Sumter and Hills- 
boro' Counties. They have done well ; their choice was a wise one, for 
there was neither railroad nor steamboat, nor other ready means of 
access to and from Polk County, and its more delicious climate and 
more fertile i^nd productive lands. A few energetic pioneers from 
those 'sections pushed on to Polk and were not only surprised, but de- 
lighted with the intrinsic excellence and attractiveness of the country 
they saw. 

The figures on Tme's dial mark 1884, and a railroad from Lake 
Monroe to Tampa runs through the northern portion of Polk County, 
through a wonderful Lake Region. Thrifty towns sprang up along 
the line with a celerity only equalled by the wonders attendant on 



48 HOMELAND. 

Alladin's lump. The Soutli Floridii Railroad was the lamp, and the 
Plant Investment Company the Alladin that caused this wonderful 
transformation in the primeval wilderness. 

Now 1885 appears and the railroad is opened into the heart of the 
county, to Bartow, with probabilities of speedy extension. The 
Florida Southern, running throujih the interior of the State, from 
north to south, forms a junction with the South Florida at Lakeland, 
and is soon to be extended to Bartow and beyond to the south. Ru- 
mors of contemplated railroads fill the air. People from all sections 
are coming to see the country and are delighted. Their friends, 
neighbors and acquantances follow them as soon as they can arrange 
their affairs at their present homes. Everywhere is surprising activ- 
ity, land cleared and buildings erected. The climate is the most de- 
lightful throughout the year yet know^n, the lands are fertile and pro- 
ductive, the views are charming and general good health prevails. 

As regards general beauty and attractiveness, Polk County is vir- 
tually a continuation of Orange County into a more southern latitude, 
where the winters are milder and the summers cooler. Like Orange 
it has immense numbers of beautiful lakes, and they are well stocked 
with fish. There are, however, many more running streams and 
beautiful valleys ; the ground has a firmer and more substantial tread, 
the soil is more fertile, and oak growths are more abundant and vigor- 
ous, which, with its varied surfs'ce, gives pleasing additional attractions 
to the landscape. I would draw no invidious comparisons with 
Orange, the banner county of the State and my adopted home, for 
Orange County deserves every line of praise that has been given her. 
I know no county in the State that is, at present, the peer of Orange, and 
believe there will be none excepting Polk, which I judge to have the 
most varied, desirable and magnificent natural charms and attractions 
of any section of fair Florida, the future home and resort of millions 
of the world's energetic and enthusiastic, as well as tired, weary 
workers. To these Polk County will be a veritable Homeland. 
Polk County, like Orange, is an interior county, a watershed, and the 
balmy and refreshing breezes from Ocean and Gulf, changing semi- 
daily, are filtrated through miles of balsamic pine on either hand be- 
fore sweeping over her healthful and inviting territory. Polk h:is all 
thelatter's natural excellence as well as a number of additional charms 
and advantages. 

Polk County has had to await the apparently slow, yet really- 
rapid, processes of settlement and development, without either natural 
or artificial highways of ingress or egress. The counties to the North, 
from Polk to the city of Jacksonville, in Duval, have had the mag- 
nificent St. Johns River and fleets of steamers to aid in their develop- 
ment, while, until the present year, Polk County has not only had no 
steamers, though there is a river running through it from North to 
South, but Congress would appropriate nothing for its improvement 
because it was called Peace Creek. The Legislature has changed its 
name to Peace River, and an appropriation will doubtless be forth- 
coming, that Polk may have a navigable outlet to the Gulf. Kissim- 
mee River forms its Ea.«:tern l)oundary and the Drainage Company has 
recently rendered that navigable. Hence, as Polk County is becom- 
ing known, her water ways are being made ready for use. Canals could 



HOMELAND. 49 

also be easily cut, and thus her magnificent lakes could be utilized for 
transportation. 

I take great pride in the glorious development of Orange 
County during the past five years, since the commencement of her 
railroads in 1880, feeling that I have contributed my mite thereto, 
and would add to rather than diminish one word I have said in her 
praise. Her population and wealth have quadrupled, her citizens are 
the creme de la creme of the whole country ; the number of buildings 
erected and the business industries developing there are astonishing 
and her wild lands have increased in value from $1.25 to $25, to $50, 
to $100 per acre, while near the numerous thrifty, fast growing towns 
$200 to $500, and even $1,000 per acre, is no uncommon price. Even 
this progress is surpassed in the most wonderful city of Orlando, the 
county seat, where (I quote ,an editorial in the Reporter of that 
city) business lots sell at the rate of thirty-six thousand dollars 
($36,000) per acre. Yet three to four years ago the pine woods were 
growing over nearly all the present site of the city. I know this to 
be a fact for I was there. 

There seems to be no possible reason why the development of 
Polk County should not be equally great and even more rapid. I 
have referred on previous pages to her advantages and attractions. 
Polk County was much more developed when the first railroad 
reached her county seat, last January, than was Orange when a like 
event occurred, and five years will make even greater changes here 
than the same period has there, wonderful and surprising as the de- 
velopments have been. 

Bartow has abundant room for expansion in all directions, and 
especially to the South, along one of the very finest and most desira- 
ble plateaus to be found in any State, Already dwellings and beau- 
tiful groves are quite numerous and rapidly increasing. Soon the 
whole twelve miles from Bartow to Fort Meade will be one continuous 
village. The prices of lands are very moderate yet, but the rush of 
emigration is assuming such immense proportions that prices are sure 
to advance very rapidly. There is no mistaking the determination of 
the people of the other States throughout the Union to immigrate 
from the regions of terrific storms and destructively cold and severe 
winters. This is evidenced not only by the numbers already settling 
and prospecting, but also by the interest manifested everywhere, even 
across the Atlantic, in Florida, and more especially in South Florida. 

The increase of values has been, and is, so great that many who 
had purchased larger tracts than they really needed, so much less land 
being required here than in other sections, were able in a short time 
to pay for the whole by selling a part, so greatly had the value 
advanced. The same will be the experience of thousands of others 
who invest here before prices get beyond their means. 

POPULATION. 

In 1850, the whole county was virtually untrodden by the foot of 
the white man, save at intervals by an adventurous hunter, though 
there were a few, and but a very few, log cabins to be found among 
the head waters of the Alafia and Hillsboro' Rivers. Even the few 



60 homeland/ 

adventurous pioneers who located there sought safer quarters upon 
the outbreak of the Indian troubles in 1854, consequently 1860 found 
a very limited number of settlers in the county, and they had not 
even a court-house, nor was the site determined until 1866, when the 
county building was erected at Bartow. Nor was there a church 
building or a store, and none but the most primitive of school houses. 
By the census of 1870 the population is given as 3,113, but the number 
is believed to be largely exaggerated, as the reliable census of 1880 
gave but 3,156 population. These figures are largely increased by 
immigration, during the past five years, from all parts of the Union, 
the estimated present population being about 7,000, having doubled 
in five years. A census will be taken during the summer, which will 
give the exact figures, and be published in the Trade Edition of the 
Tivies- Union in Octoher. From this time the population is sure to 
double very rapidly. 

REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY. 

By reference to the tax books of 1866, I find 132 white males 
over 21 and under 55 years old, and 80 colored. The 13,752 acres of 
and owned by individuals was valued at $50,104 ; the capital in trade, 
$4,000. There were 352 horses and mules, valued at $33,975. The 
cattle, hogs, etc., numbered 87,696, with an assessed value of $178,174, 
There Avere 272 sheep and goats, valued at $716. The carriages, 
carts and wagons numbered 135, and Avere valued at $4,270. 
Household furniture was valued at $8,505; musical instruments, 
jcAvelry, etc., at $485. Total valuation, $325,604. Tax assessed, 
$2,024.02; collected, $1,920.67. The poll-tax was $3 each. 

In 1870, the number of polls has increased to 259, and the tax is 
reduced from $3 each poll to 50 cents. The land assessed is 15,117 
acres, with a valuation of $19,133, Of this land 1,943 acres are im- 
proved, or cultivated, the value of the improvements being $23,051. 
There are 423 horses, 1 ass, 47 mules, 28,401 neat and stock cattle, 
189 sheep and goats, and 3,684 swine. The valuation of household 
furniture, etc., is $105,627,and the fiill cash value of personal property 
is $303, 489. The State tax was $1,745.14; county tax, $872.57, and 
the school tax, $698.05. 

In 1880, the number of acres assessed have increased to 29,022 ; 
acres improved, 1,535; valuation, $70,090; valuation of town lots and 
improvements, $13,590; horses and mules, 655; cattle, 22,030; sheep 
and goats, 554; swine, 6,330; full cash value of animals, $156,234 ; 
value of personal property, except animals, $69,343 ; aggregate value, 
$225,577 ; while of real estate and personal property it is $309,257. 
Total state tax, $2,375.30 ; total county tax, 2,529.93, of which the 
general school tax was $309.26 ; county schools, $773.14. Males over 
21 and under 55 are 421. 

In 1881, the assessed valuation was $368,870 ; in 1882, $684,702; 
in 1883, $1,036,223; in 1884 it had increased to $1,689,053. During 
the past year the increase has been very much greater than in any 
previous year, as is shown by the assessment now in preparation. A 
number of new and substantially built towns, with stores, post offices, 
churches, schools, telegraph and other offices, railroad depots, and the 



HOMELAND. 51 

varied appliances of energetic civilization having taken the place of 
the primeval forest. 

In 1884, we find the number over 21 and under 55 to have in- 
creased from the 212 of 1866 to 670; the 13,752 acres of assessed 
land in 1866 have increased to 223,196 acres in 1884; the improved 
to 7,288 acres. The value of the land is $1,122,758; of town lots, 
$59,025. The number of horses, asses and mules is 950 ; cattle, 24,- 
108 ; sheep and goats, 1,651 ; hogs, 7,134, with $225,421 as the cash 
value, and $279,149 as the value of other personalty, making a total 
of $504,570 for personal and $1,686,373 of both real and personal 
property. The general revenue tax of three mills yields $5,405.91 ; 
the school tax of one mill gives $1,420.73; making the total state tax 
$7,092.94. The county tax proper is $4,560.98 ; school, $5,059.91 ; 
special, $1,688.73 ; for court-house, $6,748.94 ; making a total for 
county proper of $18,056.86 ; it being two and a half mills; while the 
total tax of the county for 1884 was $25,149.80. The present year 
shoAvs a very large increase of improvements and of resources of all 
kinds. 

SCHOOLS. 

Very greatly increased interest is being shown in educational 
matters. The number of pupils of lawful age is about 2,000. There 
are fifty-three schools organized, of which two are colored. Bartow, 
Fort Meade and Lakeland employ assistant teachers. The last two 
have just erected fine new school buildings and Bartow will soon invest 
about $20,000 in supplying her needs in the matter of educational 
facilities. 

ORANGE GROVES. 

The number and acreage of orange groves has increased im- 
mensely with the increase of transportation facilities, having proba- 
bly doubled within the past two years. At Bartow, the most reliable 
estimates give not less than 12,000 trees in grove form, with some 
millions, from one to five years old, in nursery. The most of the 
trees in the groves are set thirty feet apart, though many are set at a 
less distance, thus increasing the number, as my estimate is for fifty 
trees per acre. At Fort Meade there are about four hundred acres in 
grove, or some 20,000 trees, while there are millions in nursery. Here, 
too, the amount of land being set to orange trees is increasing with 
wonderful rapidity. A trip over the twelve miles between Bartow 
and Fort Meade shows a very large acreage of groves that are either 
iji bearing or are making astonishing progress. They are of all ages. 
There are also numerous groves, not only near other prominent cen- 
tres, like Lakeland, Acton, Auburndale, Winter Haven, etc., but also 
throughout the whole extent of this climatically-favored county, 
where much of the soil is so fertile that trees reach maturity without 
fertilization and also yield good crops, year after year, to the cultiva- 
tor. Many groves are in bearing and give immense returns of deli- 
cious golden fruit to their happy and prosperous owners. 

A WORD OF ADVICE. 

To the thousands whose thoughts are turned towards Florida, I 
would say, be very careful to consider South Florida by itself. Do 



52 HOMELAND. 

not fail to make the distinction necessary between South Florida, and 
especially between Polk County, and the State at large. Every por- 
tion has its own especial attractions, advantages, comforts and discom- 
forts. Each section should be judged by itself and stand or fall on 
its own merits or demerits. Do not forget that Florida is a very large 
State. Do not fail to remember that though the whole four hundred 
miles from north to south, bears the name of Florida, the climate and 
productions are very much diverse from those of any equal extent of 
territory in the North, the great West, or the South. Do not fail to 
give due weight to the fact that South Florida is a peninsula ; that 
the Gulf Stream flows along its western, southern and eastern coasts, 
modifying its climate, its temperatui-e and its productions. Do not 
fail to remember that the delicious and invigorating benefits de- 
rived from the trade winds are only to be secured in South Florida. 
Remember that the life-giving, heat-dispelling breezes of the day and 
the soothing, sleep-inducing, strength-resting coolness of the nights are 
only to be secured in their full perfection in South Florida, of which 
Polk Countv is the most desirable and advantageous centre. 

Do you fear troublesome insects or reptiles, remember that Polk 
County is centrally situated, and that its elevation above the sea and 
the absence of salt or other marshes gives it an exemption unkown on 
the coast. In many of the higher and more prominent localities mos- 
quito bars are unknown. In fact, it is more exempt from insects and 
other pests than the average localities of the Union. 

Especially do not group all the eight distinct belts or zones of Flor- 
ida as one homogenous whole, as their characteristics are very decidedly 
varied, and their productious essentially different. Polk Qbunty is 
decidedly semi-tropical, and its productions very, very different from 
other parts of the country. Those who come here have to unlearn the 
lessons they have learned in other parts of the Union and begin anew 
if they would succeed. 

If you are so situated that you are perfectly and undeniably con- 
tented where you are, do not come to Polk County. 

If you cannot tear yourself away from old associations and form 
new, do not come to Polk or any other county in Florida. This land 
has been reserved by Providence for those who desire to renew shat- 
tered health or fortunes, as thousands are doing, and for a hapj^y and 
delightful abode. 

The people here are as good, as kind, as sociable, and as generous 
to their acquaintances or to strangers as those of any country in the 
world. There is no difficulty in securing pleasant homes here. In 
fact, there is less rancor in politics or in religion than in any other 
part of the world. The people desire increased immigration, especially 
of educated, refined and well-to-do people, as that insures more 
and better schools, churches, stores, roads, cultivated fields and im- 
provements generally that appertain to the highest civilization. 
Everything is progressive here. The capacities and capabilities of 
this section are wonderful, but their development has hardly com- 
menced. 

If you desire to practice farming, as at the North or West, stay 
there. Though corn can be raised here and sold at a price that makes 
it more profitable than at the far West, this is not an agricultural, but 



HOMELAND. 



53 



a fruit and vegetable country. The farms must here be made gardens 
or orchards, and the intensive system of cultivation must prevail to se- 
cure the best results. Larger returns are secured from five acres here 
than from fifty at the North. Consequently, though large holdings will 
give a great profit from the rapidly-increasing values of land, a few 
acres give all that is needed for the purposes of cultivation. It is 
simply a question of large returns from a few acres here or small in- 
come from each of many acres in other sections. 

You can buy a through ticket to Bartow, Polk County, Florida, 
at any of the leading railroad offices of the country. This will take 
you all the way by rail, or you can go by steamer from the principal 
Eastern cities to Fernandina, and thence by rail to Bartow, or you 
can make the trip from Jacksonville to Sanford by steamer up the 
St. Johns River, and the remainder of the trip by the South Florida 
Railroad. 

Men have come without moneyed resources and have prospered, 
securing wealth by their own labor and enterprise, but the majority of 
people will find it more pleasant to be provided with a reasonable 
amount of cash ready for use, in case they are pleased with the oppor- 
tunities for investment. • 

Do not expect to find things here altogether the same as in the 
place from which you came. If they were, you might as well stay at 
home. Climate, soil and vegetation, all, are different from the North- 
ern or Western country^ Difference in lattitude produces a differ- 
ence in the habits of the people. 

Here you can comfortably pass the most of your time in the open 
air, hence, if the hugging of a base-burner coal stove and the breathing 
of a close and poisonous atmosphere be your chief delight, remain where 
they abound, for such have no place in South Florida. Here the sun 
gives the requisite amount of heat, and the delicious breezes supply 
an abundance of pure and wholesome air to breathe. 

If you should be so fortunate as to come to Polk County, do not 
be so egotistical as to think you know more about the country and the 
way things should be done than those who have been here for years 
and obtained their knowledge by experience. However smart and 
wise you may esteem yourself, it will be well for you to remember 
that the people here are your peers at least. They not only have a 
practical knowledge, but many of them are quite as highly educated 
and cultured as yourself. 

In the villages you will find as good and as intelligent society as 
in any part of the Union, and in the country, as kindly neighbors as 
are to be found anywhere ; nor will you be farther from them than in 
other parts of the country at large. 

Do not be in too much of a hurry at first, but settle down quietly 
in some pleasant locality, rest from your journey and make yourself 
acquainted with the characteristics of things about you. 

Do not locate on land that is flooded at times of high water. It 
may be cheaper at first, but it will prove more expensive, as well as 
disagreeable, after. There is plenty of good land, but there is much 
more that is undesirable. 

All who propose to make a stay of a few, or many years, in South 
Florida, should purchase land and improve at least a portion of it. 



54 HOMELAND. 

Land here is rapidly increasing in value, and will continue so to do 
until the minimum price of the best lands will be not less than $1,000 
per acre. Those with groves will be worth much more, while in towns 
and cities the value will be rated by tens of thousands of dollars. 

The rapid advance in the prices of land in South Florida is not due 
to a speculative boom, but to its substantial development. The advance 
has been steady from year to year with the increase of population, 
and of the facilities for railroad transportation. 

The new comer requires more cash capital now than a few 
years since for several reasons; the lands are higher-priced, and conse- 
quently more money is required to secure a place ; people also build 
much better houses, as a rule, and also live and dress more expensively; 
there are more of the appliances of what is called modern civilization. 
Those who choose can rough it, but it is difficult to get far away 
from neighbors. 

If one comes here with the design to work for others — and there 
is much work being done — he should also secure at least a few acres 
of land and make it his savings bank and donate his spare time, his 
dimes aiid dollars to its improvement. He will thus, in a few years, 
become independent. 

Women feel the change from an old country to a new more than 
men, as it is more difficultfor them to form new associations, but as they 
are credited with the possession of more tact, patience, self-denial and 
self-sacrifice, they should be able to endure the breaking of old ties, 
that the fortunes of the family may be permanently bettered. 

Ladies who delight in flowers can have their yards filled with the 
most beautiful throughout the year, there being no destructive freezes 
here, and but few, if any, frosts. They can enjoy a wealth of bloom 
throughout the year. 

Here one can live in cottage or mansion, as means or taste may 
dictate. Social distinction] is not based upon wealth, but upon energy, 
intelligence and true and desirable qualities of heart and mind. 

THE POLITICAL SITUATION. 

You need not fear being ostracised should you be a conscientious 
Republican. There does not seem to be half the bitterness of party 
feeling here that there is in other parts of the country. There are and 
have been, but very few negroes here, consequently the race bitterness 
of some sections of the South is unknown. This is a " white man's 
country," and it is also becoming quite cosmopolitan, hence, the 
question is, "What kind of a man are you?" not "What is your poli- 
tics ? " Speech is as free here as at the North or West, but people 
come here to make orange groves, to retrieve wasted health, to make 
delightful homes, and to secure either competence or fortunes, not to 
dabble in political cess-pools. The older residents are mostly Demo- 
crats, the later arrivals represent all parties, while the tendency is for 
the better elements to work together to secure the greatest possible 
good for this section of the country. There is no surveilance of or 
disturbance at the polls. Election days pass oft' quietly, and as the 
ballot is cast so is it counted. 



THE SOUTH FLORIDA RAILROAD. 



Leaving the main line of the South Florida Railroad at Bartow 
Junction, the tourist passes over the Bartow Branch, 17 miles, to Bar- 
tow, the county site^of Polk County, one of the most beautiful towns 
in South Florida. 

The situation of Bartow and the surrounding country is such as 
to give promise of a large increase in population, in business and in 
importance in the near future. The connection made by the railroad 
line with Tampa on the West coast and Sanford on the St. Johns 
River, has added very materially to the prosperity of the town, and 
where only a few years ago wild land was found are now to be seen 
charming dwellings, beautifully located and surrounded by flourishing 
■orange groves. 

The South Florida Railroad, in every way consistent with busi- 
ness principles, develops the country through which it passes and 
gives to the new settler all advantages to add to his income by prompt 
delivery of produce at the Northern markets, and keeps producers 
well informed as to market values by constant telegraphic reports 
from New York, which are posted three times weekly at prominent 
places in towns along its line. 

The Bartow Branch passes through some of the most beautiful 
and fertile land in South Florida — through the centre of the noted 
Lake Region of Polk County. The road passes along on the summit 
of a ridge, on both sides of which bright lakes are seen, on whose 
shores are found a succession of orange groves and gardens. 

The soil around Bartow is particularly adapted to vegetable 
culture, and the departure of trains from that point is such as to 
enable the producers to put their vegetables into a Northern mai-ket 
in the shortest possible time. Rail communication is soon to be open- 
ed over the main line of the South Florida Railroad by a branch to 
the North, connecting with the Florida Southern and then on to the 
point of connection of that road with the Savannah, Florida and 
Western. This will materially reduce the time from Bartow and 
make the place as easily accessible to the tourist, business man or 
invalid as has been Jacksonville in the past years. 

The lines of the South Florida Telegraph Company extend from 
Bartow to all points on the line of the South Florida Railroad and 
its branches, and at several of these points connects with the wires of other 
companies, making direct telegraphic communication between Bartow 
and all points in the North, South and West, as well as to points in 
Cuba. 



66 HOMELAND. 

Winter Haven, one of the most beautiful spots in Polk County, is 
situated 5 miles from Bartow Junction, and 12 miles northeast of 
Bartow, surrounded by lakes. One can there feel almost safe from 
frosts, as the cold winds are tempered by the warmer water over 
which they pass. This town, while started only a few months since, 
is already a prosperous and growing community and gives promise of 
increased prosperity in the future. 

Trains leave Tampa and Sanford both morning and evening for 
Bartow and points on the Bartow Branch. The tourist and hunter 
will find no more delightful country than that through which the 
Bartow Branch of the South Florida Railroad passes, being unequal- 
led in scenery, and aflTording to the sportsman all kinds of game and 
in the lakes a variety of fish unknown outside of Florida waters. 
First-class passenger accommodations are furnished by the railroad, 
parlor cars over the main line, air brakes, steel rails, smooth road- 
bed and all the comforts that can be found on the large Northern 
roads. 

Tickets for Bartow can be procured at all the principal points in 
the North, East or West, at the Savannah, Florida and Western 
ticket office in Jacksonville, or on boats of Peoples' Line of steamers. 

For further information, apply to Frederic H. Rand, General 
Freight and Passenger Agent. 



OFFICIAL DIRECTORY 



OF 



POLK COUNTY, FLORIDA. 



Circuit Court — Sixth Judicial Circuit — H, L. Mitchell, Judge ; 
S. M. Sparkman, State Attorney. 

County Commissioners — Col. J. N. Hooker, Chairman ; J. F. 
Kelley, J. H. Kirkland, N. B. Norton, B. F. Holland. 

County Judge — James A. Fortner, Bartow. 

County Clerk — William H. Johnson, Bartow. 

Board of Public Instruction — M. D. L. Mayo, Chairman ; 
J. T. Wilson, J. W. Brandon. 

Superintendent of Schools — John Snoddy, Bartow. 

County Surveyor — J. W. Boyd, Bartow. 

County Assessor — U. A. Lightsey, Fort Meade. 

County Collector — J. B. Tillis, Fort Meade. 

County Treasurer — F. F. Beville, Bartow. 

Sheriff — R. T. Kilpatrick, Bartow. 

NEWSPAPERS. 

Bartow Informant, Ba,rtoyv ; G. A. Hanson, Editor ; D. W. D. 
Boully, Publisher. 

Lakeland News, Lakeland ; L. M. Ballard, Editor and Publisher. 

Fort Meade Pioneer, Fort Meade; F.Q.Crawford, Editor and 
Publisher. , 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

Precinct No. 1 — D. C. Lancaster, H. E. Padgette, Chicora P. O. 

Precinct No. 2— V. L. Tillis, Fort Meade. 

Precinct No. 3 — George S. Durrance, Bartow. 

Precinct No. 4 — R. E. Windham, Medulla. 

Precinct No. 5 — J. W. Tucker, Lakeland. 

Precinct No. 6 — William L. Patterson, Sanitaria. 

Precinct No. 9 — J. A. Fortner, Bartow. 

Precinct No. 10 — Eppes Tucker, Lakeland. 



DESCRIPTIONS OF LOCALITIES. 



BARTOW. 



Prominent among the energetic, pushing, beautiful and rapidly- 
growing towns of South Florida is Bartow, the central and capital 
town of far-famed Polk County. It is situated near the centre of the 
elevated and fertile ridge of land, the backbone of the peninsula, 
that extends in a northerly and southerly direction until lost in the 
flat lands of the counties in the extreme southern portion of the State; 
Here, however, the road-bed of the South Florida Railroad has an 
€levation of 114 feet. 

At and surrounding Bartow, on every side, are large quantities 
of the most fertile and the most desirable lands that are to be found 
anywhere in the State of Florida. The vigorous growth of the beau- 
tiful pine, intermingled with an abundance of oak of a number of 
varieties, is a surprise to the visitor who had become tired and wearied 
of the ceaseless, unbroken pine presented by so many sections. There 
is a charm in variety, and a fertile soil has an undeniable attractive- 
ness. 

Another surprise that arrests the attention of the visitor, is the 
firm and solid tread that greets the impress of the foot of man and 
beast. No wading through deep and difficult sands, but hard, smooth 
and enduring pathways. There is also a variety of surface, which is 
gently rolling, precluding the monotony caused by broad stretches of 
flat lands. Here are hill and dale, with gentle swells, furnishing de- 
lightful building sites and ample drainage — the central portion of the 
town being higher than the surrounding and contiguous country. 

The broad streets and avenues cross each other at right-angles, 
the blocks being of one acre each. Along the streets and in->the yards 
of the residents are numerous vigorous oaks and other trees that give 
& most delightful and congenial shade, the like of which is to be 
found in but few places outside of the fertile ridge of Polk County. 
Here, too, are vigorous orange trees, laden with an immense quantity 
of the "apples of the Hesperides— fit food for the gods." 

The centre of attraction, and of business, is the capacious, 
elegantly and substantially furnished court-house, the finest in South 
Florida, w^ich occupies not only a central, but also the highest, part 
of the town. The fence around it encloses a square of one acre of 
land — one block — which is surrounded by a line of posts connected 
by chain cables. About a rod within is a substantial picket fence. 
On the four streets surrounding, and their extensions, are grouped 
many of the stores, offices, hotels and business houses. 



HOMELAND. 59 

The depot of the South Florida Railroad is situated about half a 
mile to the southeast of the court-house which is thus secure from the 
annoyance caused by the noise of trains, the roar, jostle and push of 
active business. The court-house fixes the centre, and new buildings, 
mostly of a very neat, elegant or substantial character, are being 
erected in every direction around it. Evidently, judging from the 
present rate of progress, it will be but very few years before the whole 
of the four miles comprising the area of the corporation of Bartow 
will be completely covered with buildings and groves, from sixty to 
seventy new buildings having been erected and many acres set in 
orange groves since the advent of the South Florida Railroad, last 
January, while work on both is progressing very rapidly. 

A careful computation shows that about one-sixth of the area of 
the corporation, some four hundred acres or more, are already occu- 
pied by buildings, groves, nurseries, etc. Lemons, limes, guavas, 
bananas, grape fruit, Japan plums and persimmons, strawberries and 
a long list of other fruits are cultivated, as well as oranges, besides the 
beautiful shrubs, flowers, running vines, etc., etc., that adorn the 
yards of so many of the residents. This is the true Homeland, 
where meet the productions of both the temperate and the semi-tropic 
zones, where harvests are continuous and where flowers bloom all the 
year, destructive freezes being almost, or virtually, unknown, and 
frosts rare and mild ; its comparatively low latitude giving it much 
greater exemption from these destructive influences than localities at 
any distance to the north. 

The survey of the Florida Southern Railroad runs within less 
than a quarter of a mile to the west of the court-house, and work is 
progressing rapidly ; a line already building from Tavares to Char- 
lotte Harbor is to run through Bartow ; a road is chartered from 
Bartow to Tampa, and other roads are expected to link Bartow with 
other parts of the State in all desirable directions, making it a lively 
railroad and general business centre. In fact, its future seems to be 
indisputably assured as one of the most important and desirable busi- 
ness centres of South Florida. ' 

Bartow is the natural business centre of a large extent of the 
most fertile country, as well as the most healthful and salubrious and 
desirable, that any part of Florida affords. The water, too, is excel- 
lent, and is readily secured by boring or digging through alternate 
strata of sand and clay to a depth of 25 to 30 feet, at which depth 
the supply is constant and unlimited. There is also a surprising and 
unexpected exemption from insect pests, mosquitoes being few in 
number and so rarely seen that bars are unused and unnecessary. 
Flies, gnats, etc., are also limited in quantity and fleas are disappear- 
ing as the laws banish the hogs. 

The prices of lands are very reasonable, considering Bartow's 
importance as a trade centre ; the rapidity with which the town is 
building in every direction; the prospects as regards railroad facilities; 
the favorable location for a variety of manufactories ; the fertility of 
the soil; the delicious healthfulness of the climate ; the large quantity 
of choice outlying lands ; the great variety of fruits and vegetables 
that can be successfully and profitably raised and marketed ; the 
many beautiful and desirable locations for homes and for business 



60 HOMELAND. 

places ; the social and enterprising character of the people~and many 
other reasons that will suggest themselves to the visitor. 

The first settlement in the corporation's limits was made in 1851. 
In 1852 several families settled in the near vicinity. Being far dis- 
tant from transportation and without good roads — Tampa, on the Gulf 
of Mexico, forty«five miles distant, being the nearest trading post and 
post-office — the population increased very slowly, notwithstanding the 
remarkable fertility of the soil and delicious salubrity of the climate. 
In 1866, Bartow was made the county seat and the International 
Ocean Telegraph line was built, and opened an office here. The first 
store was built and opened the same year. The court-house, a hotel, a 
school-house and Masonic lodge, and several other buildings, were also 
erected in 1866. Then things resumed their usual quiet course, the 
lack of transportation being an insurmountable obstacle. 

The population increased very slowly and no attempt was made 
to build a town. The chief industry of the people was the raising of 
cattle and agricultural products for home use. The people were self- 
supporting from the fertile soil. In 1868, Capt. David Hughes located 
here, built a store-house, and went into the cattle business on a large 
scale. W. T. Carpenter had the first and only store for the sale of 
goods, from early in 1865 to 1870, when Capt. Hughes opened his 
store to the public and has since done an immense trade. 

Thus matters continued until 1881, in a quiet humdrum way, the 
people being virtually isolated from the outside world. They had 
plenty on which to live, but little else, on account of the lack of mar- 
kets and the difficulties and expense of transportation. They neces- 
sarily became self-reliant ; they were happy and contented ; crime was 
very rare. Railroads were chartered occasionally, but until 1880 none 
were built in South Florida. That year the South Florida Railroad 
w^as built from Sanford to Orlando, and extended in 1881 to Kissimmee. 
It was chartered to run through Bartow to Tampa. Then railroad 
talk became rife ; a few enterprising prospectors scoured Polk County 
searching for desirable lands, and brought back glowing reports of the 
beauty, fertility and delicious salubrity of the country. They dwelt 
with enthusiam upon the rich lands, the vigorous growths of oak and 
pine and other woods, the running streams, the rolling country, the 
pleasant vales, the lovely building sites, the inexpressible deliciousness 
of the climate, and the wonderful opportunities to secure fortunes. 

G. W. Smith, one of Bartow's most enterprising citizens and 
prominent merchants, came in the spring of 1881 ; the trip from Or- 
lando, with his family and household effects, being %nade in ox-carts 
over rough trails and swollen unbridged streams. They were eight days 
on the way, camping at night. Is it any wonder that Bartow, or Polk 
County, fertile and delicious section as it is, is not more thickly 
peopled, or that now the South Florida Railroad has its present termi- 
nus at Bartow, people should be rapidly pushing into the country 
to secure homes ? Mr. Smith was pleased with the country, its advan- 
tages and its opportunities, and having had extensive experience" in 
other sections, he knew a good thing when he saw it. He therefore 
purchased about one-sixth of the then surveyed town, bought a saw- 
mill, and later opened a store, to which he has made successive addi- 
tions to accommodate his steadily increasing business. During the 



HOMELAND. 61 

year he proposes to build a still larger and elegant store, though his 
present place holds an immense stock of goods. 

But I have neither the time nor the space to trace the individual 
history of Bartow. The impetus it received in 1881 has been earn- 
estly progressive. July 1, 1882, the corporate government was organ- 
ized, J. H. Humphries, Esq., the present Polk County delegate to the 
Constitutional Convention, being elected Mayor. Only twenty-eight 
legal voters were found in the corporation limits, and of these twenty- 
two were present. They knew the time had come for Bartow to move. 
The population is now about 700. 

Numbers of new buildings were erected during the season of 1882 
and 1883. Prominent among them were a Baptist and Methodist 
church, as well as stores and dwellings. Since that time building has 
been steady, progressive and continuous. In 1884, the old court-house 
was removed and the present fine and attractive structure erected. 
Also a fine hotel, an opera-house, and numbers of stores, residences, 
etc. In January of the present year, the South Florida Railroad 
reached Bartow, infusing new life into town and country. Its projec- 
tion, its^survey, and building to Tampa, had given a great impetus 
to the purchase of land and the setting out of groves, but an actual 
railroad here not only gave people the opportunity to come and see 
for themselves, but it also greatly facilitated and cheapened the trans- 
portation of supplies of all kinds. The manner in which its approach, 
even, gave an impetus to business and enterprise is evidenced by the 
fact that of the 12,000 orange trees set in grove, in the corporation 
limits, about half has been the work of the past two years. This fact 
alone indicates whether the many new comers have been pleased with 
the advantages offered by this section to clear-headed and enterprising 
men. Here many have builded their fortunes anew, many have made 
for themselves lovely homes. 

The Bartow of to-day comprises a beautiful tract of rolling coun- 
try, wide streets crossing: each other at right angles, beautiful oaks and 
other delightful shade trees scattered throughout the corporation, sub- 
stantial plank sidewalks and crossings in the chief business portion of 
the town, though the ground is so firm, and yet absorbs the falling 
rain so quickly, that they are very much less needed than in other sec- 
tions of the country. The untraveled parts of the streets, the uncul- 
tivated parts of the yards and the fields are covered with a vigorous 
growth of grass. Orange groves abound, and outside of the business 
part of the rapidly-growing town the lessening tracts of pine, and of 
pine intermingled with oak, are patiently awaiting their destiny, for 
they will soon be removed to make place for buildings and groves, 
and gardens of fruits, vegetables and flowers. 

To note the town itself, the large two-story court-house, with its 
tower and four gables, is an appropriate starting point. On the corner 
of Main Street and Broadway Avenue, to the south, is the general mer- 
chandise store of Capt.David Hughes, well stocked with every variety 
of general merchandise, which is sold by his gentlemanly and atten- 
tive clerks at very satisfactory prices. The stock is not only large, 
but the yearly sales are immense, some years reaching as high figui-es 
as $60,000. Two additions have been made to the store since it was 
first built, to make room for the constantly increasing stock, attrac- 



62 HOMELAND. 

tively displayed, and last spring the active and wide-awake Captain, 
a Colonel and Commandant of the Militia of Polk County by com- 
mission, purchased the handsome and commodious opera-house and 
removed the clothing and gentlemen's furnishing goods to the ground 
floor, whereon is one of the most elegant and commodious stores in 
town. Yet his old store is full to overflowing. In front of Captain 
Hughes' store is a row of vigorous sour orange trees, protected by heaps 
of stone at their base. 

Westerly from the court-house, on Broadway, is the general 
merchandise store of George W. Smith, the pioneer merchant of this 
decade. His stock of goods is varied and extensive, but though his 
building is large and commodious he is unable to give them any- 
thing like an appropriate display. He will soon remedy this, how- 
ever, by the erection of a new and creditable store, where he will con- 
tinue his present immense business. 

The Lang Brothers; on Broadway, directly west of the court- 
house, have a very fine and attractive stock of dry goods, clothing, 
gentlemen's furnishing goods, and boots and shoes, as well as a choice 
selected stock of staple and fancy groceries, canned goods, tobaccos, 
etc. The store is kept as neat as a parlor, and the goods are displayed 
in excellent style, while their prices are very moderate and encourag- 
ingly satisfactory. Their customers receive the most polite and 
gentlemanly attention, and those who once patronize them are sure to 
go again. 

Colonel J. N. Hooker & Co's fine and well-stocked general 
merchandise store, on Main Street, to the southeast of the court-house, 
deserves a more than passing notice. It is not only an extensive, 
neat and well-lighted establishment, but contains a very heavy stock 
of general merchandise, embracing every variety, which are sold at 
prices to suit the times, by his attentive and gentlemanly clerks. 
The Colonel is Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners. He 
also has a large general merchandise store at Fort Meade. 

Northeast of the court-house is the extensive hardware store of 
the Reed Brothers, solidly packed with the great variety of articles 
in general demand, in the way of stoves, plows, pumps, piping, etc., 
etc. In fact, a variety of general hardware goods and general field 
and household articles too numerous to mention. They also do a 
general tinning business, drive and bore wells, etc., etc. 

North of the court-house, w^e observe a floor laid beneath the 
shade of some handsome water-oaks, and supplied with seats. This is 
a first introduction to the Bartow Furniture Store, which, located 
just across the sidewalk, has an immense stock of the varied kinds of 
furniture most in demand. The goods are so numerous and so closely 
packed and piled that you can hardly move around, but you can, no 
doubt, secure the articles you desire. 

J. P. Statham & Co. are enterprising druggists and physicians, 
located on Broadway. They have a varied assortment of druggist's 
goods, and are doing a popular and very lively business, when the ex- 
ceedingly healthful state of the country is taken into consideration. 

Baeumel & Oppenheimer, on Main Street, south of the court- 
house, are the new druggists from the "West, who have built and 
opened a nice drug-store the present season. Everything is new and 



HOMELAND. . 63 

very neat and attractive. They also have a handsome soda-water 
fountain, and dispose of immense quantities of the cooling fluid. They 
set the example of self-protection from fire by means of a bored well 
in a rear corner of their store, to which a force-pump is attached. 
Water is forced to a tank in the attic, from whence, by pipes and hose, 
it is available in all parts of the building. They also have a Babcock 
fire extinguisher. 

L. Lytle has extensive livery, feed and sale stables, just to the 
east, on Main Street. He also deals extensively in carriages, hay and 
grain. He keeps a good supply of iine animals and carriages, and 
can insure any one a pleasant drive. Mr. L. is the pioneer livery 
man of Bartow, and does an immense business. 

H. T. Dial hasa very extensive steam planing mill near the north 
edge of the town plat, and a saw-mill at Peace River, thus insuring 
a constant supply of lumber at satisfactory prices. He also has wood- 
working attachments, whereby he fills orders for orange boxes, vege- 
table crates, brackets, mouldings, etc. He also has a grist mill, and is 
contemplating starting a furniture manufactory. 

J. M. Dill is the active and energetic contractor and builder, 
who is making his progress along the pathway of time, by the erection 
of substantial and creditable buildings. The work that he has done 
is his best and most convincing advertisement, and a bright future 
spurs him to earnest endeavor. 

Mrs. Snoddy's millinery store speaks for itself, and shows that 
there are some advantages in this direction, but a lady at one short 
visit would have more actudl knowledge of the facts than a man could 
evolve in a week. 

The three leading hotels of Bartow, taken in the order of the age 
of the buildings, are the Webster House on Main Street, west of the 
court-house, E. Webster, proprietor; the Central House to the 
east, kept by J. F. Kelly, and the Bartow House on Davidson Street, 
northwest of the court-house, by Dr. R. H. Huddleston. The rates at 
each are two dollars ($2) a day, the houses present a creditable appear- 
ance, and the proprietors apparently use their best endeavor to pro- 
mote the satisfaction of their guests. The Webster House is being- 
enlarged by a handsome two-story front. 

Tigner & Tatum, real estate agents, have their office on Main 
Street, directly south of the court-house. They are wide-awake and 
reliable men, thoroughly informed by years of personal experience, 
with the varied qualities and values of lands — past, present and pros- 
pective. They have large quantities of lands on their books, both im- 
proved and umimproved, and can suit their customers with town lots, 
bearing groves, pleasant and desirable residence lots, or wild lands in 
quantity, as the taste of the purchaser, or the condition of his pocket- 
book may dictate. They have been residents of Bartow and in active 
business here for several years, but had previously become well ac- 
quainted with other parts of the country, consequently they know land 
when they see it. As they have every kind of land for sale, they 
have no occasion to misrepresent the desirability of any particular 
tract, and their honorable reputation is good evidence that they have 
no such disposition. They have full faith in the future of South 
Florida, and especially of Polk County, and they have good and sub- 



64 HOMELAND. 

stantial reasons for the faith that is in them. They reply promptly 
to all inquiries with regard to lands and opportunities for investment. 

John C. Wright has an extensive general merchandise store on 
the corner of Main Street and Broadway, to the southwest of the court- 
house. He also deals largely in paints, oils, etc., doing an extensive 
business in all lines. F. D. Beville, one of the early merchants of the 
town, as it was commencing its later growth, is his chief clerk. 

J. J. McKiNNEY has a pleasant and well-stocked livery and sale 
stable, a block northeast of the court-house, that is kept in excel- 
lent shape. He has fine horses and carriages, and the terms are mod- 
erate. The buildings and outfit are all new, and those who desire a 
pleasant drive about this delightful country, with or without a driver, 
will here be promptly suited by the accommodating proprietor. 

Having noted the leading firms in active business, a brief sum- 
mary may aid in giving an idea of the activities that are busy in at- 
tending to the varied wants, and promoting the devolopment of this 
section. These comprise five general merchandise stores, one clothing, 
one hai'dware and one furniture store, three hotels, three drugstores, 
two livery stables, several real estate agencies, a news room, telegraph 
office, money-order postoffice, express office, and railroad depot, a skat- 
ing rink, a weakly newspaper, two billiard rooms, two barber shops, 
two millinery and dress-making rooms, one photograph gallery, one 
shoemaker's shop, one blacksmith shop, a bakery, a butcher's shop, a 
fish market, several restaurants, soda and ice-cream rooms, several 
boarding houses, a well-stocke»;l harness shop, a watch repairer, a num- 
ber of reputable and skillful physicians, from various parts of the 
Union, several educated attorneys, several contx'actors and builders, 
two churches with regular preaching, a fire insurance agent, a brass 
band, a Masonic lodge, and a variety of societies, agencies, etc., a 
court-house and jail, a laundry building, well-stocked with the most ap- 
proved machinery, ., that awaits a capable and energetic manager. A 
planing mill, with wood-working machinery, is located in town, and 
there are several saw mills in the country adjacent. In fact, quite a 
number of industries are located here, but there is room and oppor- 
tunity for the profitable establishment of many others. Those desir- 
ing to better their condition should note these facts. 

RETAIL PRICES OF GOODS. 

Many who come here are surprised to find the prices so much 
more reasonable than they expected, especially in dry goods, clothing, 
boots and shoes, canned goods, etc. Crockery and glass ware are 
higher than in most of the Northern and Middle States, in consequence 
of the high transportation charges on that class of goods, yet they are 
not higher than in most parts of the AVest and South. As regards 
provisions : flour is from $6.50 to $8 per barrel, meal and grits $5 
per barrel, or 3i cents per pound; bacon, 9 to 10 cents per pound ; 
lard, 122 cents; hams, 14 to 15 cents; sugar, 6 to 10 cents; rice, 8 
to 10 cents; oatmeal, 8 to 12i cents; crackers, 10 cents; butter, 35 
cents; coffee (best Rio), 14 to 20 cents; tea, 50 cents to $1; nails, 
4 to 5 cents ; beans, 8 cents ; syrup, 40 to 50 cents per gallon ; kero- 
sene, 30 to 35 cents ; eggs, 20 to 25 cents per dozen ; sweet potatoes, 
40 cents per bushel ; Irish 50 cents peck ; corn, $1 per bushel. 



HOMELAND. 65 

DeLeon mineral springs. 

This place of note, that is much visited by the people of Bartow 
and vicinity, is located about four miles to the southeast of Bartow. 
Its waters are in great repute as a curative for all diseases of the 
blood, and of indigestion, dyspeptics finding the use of its waters 
very beneficial. An analysis proves them to contain the most bene- 
ficial ingredients of the most celebrated European medicinal springs. 
The waters pour forth in immense volumes from unknown depths. 
The taste is very pleasant. Dr. R. H. Huddleston, the owner, has 
built a bathing-house here, and many indulge in the luxury of a bath, 
the spring covering some two acres. A railroad from Bartow to the 
Springs is in contemplation. Here is also one of the most delightful 
natural parks, covered with a vigorous growth of trees, to be found 
in the State. The opportunities for a hotel here are excellent, and 
some enterprising company can here secure a fortune, as a little ex- 
penditure will make it one of the most delightful resorts in America. 

Any one having capital which they desire to profitably invest 
would do well to address Tigner & Tatum, Bartow, Florida, who have 
full charge of all that pertains to the improvement aud disposition of 
this fine property. 

. . FORT MEADE. 

Twelve miles to the south of Bartow is an important centre of 
business, in a remarkably fertile aud delightful locality, that since 
1852, at least, has borne the name of Fort Meade. A fort was built 
here during the Indian war, to keep the uneasy Seminoles in check, 
and the population has slowly but steadily increased during the past 
few years. It is doubtless the most fertile and productive section of 
Florida, but it awaits the near advent of a railroad to give it the 
necessary transportation facilities and save the twelve miles freightage 
by team to the terminus of the South Florida Railroad at Bartow. 
Several roads are chartered that will, without doubt, soon be built 
through this, one of the most attractive parts of Florida, and then its 
development cannot fail to make astonishing strides, giving fortunes to 
those who have been sufficiently far-sighted to invest here. 

The busy village is located just west of Peace River, across which 
the corporation lines extend to the east. Sturdy and vigorous live, 
water and other oaks give a delightful shade, and thrifty groves of 
orange trees are very prominent. Lemons, limes, guavas, bananas, 
etc., flourish and yield very desirable returns. Within the corporation, 
and within a mile of the post-office, some four hundred acres are set 
in orange groves, while the trees in nursery can be counted by mil- 
lions. 

Approaching Fort Meade from Bartow, the regular route of travel, 
by any one of the several roads, you are sure to be much pleased by 
the attractive beauty of land and landscape. The frequent homes 
of settlers with luxuriant orange groves ; the numerous cultivated fields, 
chiefly of corn, pease, sweet potatoes and sugar-cane; the running 
streams through the beautiful valleys, the hills and the broad swelling 
plains, all clothed with a luxuriant vegetation, a dense carpet of grass, 
magnificent pines, sturdy live oaks, water oaks, with their wide 



66 HOMELAND. 

branching and dense shade, under which the children can pass many 
a pleasant hour shielded from the rays of a semi-tropical sun ; thrifty 
post, willow or turkey oaks, haw bushes that have become trees, wild 
plum, cherry and persimmon ; though the chief growth is pine, with 
scattering oaks, except along the water courses ; all give rise to emo- 
tions of pleasure. 

The streams all flow into Peace River to the east. Along their 
banks are dense growths of sweet and black-gum trees, maples, cy- 
press, hickory, live oaks, linden, red bay, cabbage, blue, saw and 
needle palm, magnolia, whitewood, ash, iron wood, wild sour orange, 
and other varieties too numerous to mention. Here, too, are wild 
grapes and running vines that climb the highest trees, too great in 
number and variety to be enumerated. Surely here is the field for a 
botanist — for a true lover of nature. Here such can devote their time 
to study and delightful and refreshing observation. 

We must not pause by the way, however, but note as we pass 
along, that here, as in other parts of Florida, the land is formed in 
strips, or sections, of varying quality. That near Peace River, or on 
either side of the creeks that flow into it, is usually of the best quali- 
ty. The quality of the soil is evidenced by the character of the 
varied growths. 

Having arrived at the edge of Fort Meade, the attention is ar- 
rested by the number, the vigor and the beauty, of the orange groves 
grown without the aid of commercial fertilizers. The vigorous water 
oaks along the streets and in the yards, also demand and receive our 
admiration. The lovely carpet of Bermuda, or other grasses, with 
which the streets and fields are covered, is suggestive of fine, fat cattle 
and plenty of milk. Bees, too, would evidently do well here, hence 
it should be "a land of milk and honey." 

A knoll to the northeast of the village, whereon is a house, be- 
neath the shade of majestic oaks, and adjoining an orange grove, is 
pointed out as the site of the old fort The Methodist Church is to 
the north of the business centre, and the fine new two-story school 
building is south of west. Across Peace River, to the east, is a long 
bridge. The town plat is surveyed into lots of four acres, separated 
by wide streets that cross each other at right-angles. The business 
houses are located on Main Street, the post office and drug store on 
the corner of this street and Orange Avenue, being the centre. To 
the east is the Adams House and to the west is French's Hotel. 

Observation shows that there are four general merchandise stores, 
two drug stores, two hotels, two pool-rooms, a post office and a tele- 
graph office, a millinery store, a barber shop, a livery stable, a black- 
smith shop and tools awaiting an enterprising man to put it in opera- 
tion, a public library, a number of real-estate offices, several physi- 
cians, and last, but not least, a live newspaper, the Fort Meade Pioneer. 
To the north is the Methodist Church, to the west the large two-story 
school house. The residences are scattered about in country style, 
the most of the houses and the 20,000 orange trees (about 6,000 in 
bearing) being within a radius of one mile of the post-office. The 
population is about three hundred. The voting precinct, of which 
this is the centre, polled 214 votes at the last election. 



HOMELAND. 67 

From the earliest settlement, Fort Meade has been a trading 
centre of considerable importance, it being the supply point for a 
large extent of country, especially to the east and south. Here the 
traders met the drovers from the outlying ranges ; here many a sale 
and exchange has been made; here for many years has been the 
camping ground. 

Fort Meade was incorporated March 16th of the present year, 
1885. It is located in the southeast corner of Township 31 south. 
Range 27 east. Being four miles square, it covers an area of six- 
teen square miles of the most fertile, productive and attractive lands 
in the State. The business part of the corporation is in Sections 26 
and 27, Main Street being just north of the dividing line. John 
Jackson, Deputy Government Surveyor, ran the exterior township 
lines in 1854, and it was sectioned by W. G. Mosley in the following 
year. From the Field Notes I quote the following very unusual and 
very flattering : 

" GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. 

"This township is finely adapted for agricultural pursuits, ihe 
land being mostly of first and second rate quality pine, with dark 
brown rocky soil and undulating surface. The Tallakhchopka River, 
or Pease Creek, runs through it from north to south, with a narrow 
stream and flat banks, and wide, thick swamps subject to overflow 
from freshets. 

" The same deadening extends through it north and south and 
from two to three miles in width. The western tiers of sections are 
flat pine and ponds, third rate land. Settlements thick and numerous 
throughout the whole township." 

The early settlers invariably selected the most fertile and pro- 
ductive lands, for they were compelled to secure their subsistence 
from the soil ; hence, as large crops could be raised here without com- 
mercial fertilizers, the scenery also being very pleasing and attrac- 
tive, and the climate delightful, it is no wonder that the residents, and 
also the increasing numbers of visitors, should deem it the finest sec- 
tion of Florida. Its low latitude gives it great advantages in the 
raising of citrus and other semi-tropical fruits, frosts and freezes 
being vei'y rare. The thrifty orange groves show the excellent adapta- 
tion of both soil and climate. Here vegetables grow with wonderful 
luxuriance all the year, well rewarding the cultivator's attention. 
The town has two telegraph lines and a daily mail, and will doubtless 
have a railroad within a year, surveys having already been made. 

A stopping place is necessary for the prospector while he is 
determining where to locate. In this respect Fort Meade is fortunate, 
having two pleasant hotels. The Adams House, just east of the 
post-office in the centre of a four acre orange grove, and near the 
beautiful live oaks and delightful scenery that adorn the river's 
banks, is a very pleasant and convenient stopping place. Mr, A, H. 
Adams, with his agreeable family, from Seymour, Ind,, is the obliging 
and attentive landlord. 



68 HOMELAND. 

V. L. TiLLis finds himself equal to the task of running the post- 
office, a drug store and two telegraph lines, though he has to get 
around lively at times. In fact, he is always busy. 

Mrs. Edna Haymax has a very neat and quite attractive milli- 
nery store, and is emphatically a woman of business, as well as polite, 
agreeable and entertaining. She naturally has hosts of friends and, 
we understand, gives excellent satisfaction. 

Hendry & Carter, dealers in general merchandise, are located 
on the corner opposite the post-office and are doing an immense busi- 
ness. They are active young men, and their store and warehouse is 
literally packed with goods of every variety and description in gen- 
eral use, as well as a great variety of miscellaneous articles, their 
endeavor being to supply every demand. 

J. N. Hooker & Co. are located to the west, and appear to be 
doing their full share of the trade. They have a large and well- 
assorted stock of general merchandise, suited to the needs of the 
country. This store w^as opened previous to the one at Bartow, and 
Colonel Hooker makes it frequent visits, though it is under the man- 
agement of able and trusty clerks. 

The Livery Stable of Wilson & McKinney next attracts our 
attention, being a great convenience, as well as necessity. The build- 
ing is commodious and well-arranged for the large number of horses 
and carriages that are kept on hand, for sale, or for the benefit of the 
travelling public. 

The French House, just beyond the livery stable, is situated 
about half way between the post-office and the fine, new school-house. 
J. L. Bettis, the genial landlord, was recently from Jacksonville, and 
has a wide acquaintance and an extended knowledge of the .country. 
The rooms are pleasant and the table attractive, while the quality of 
the cooking, etc., is of exceptional excellence. 

C. C. Wilson, the practicing attorney, has a very pleasant resi- 
dence half a mile west of the post-office, where a new centre is being 
established. Though comparatively young, he is a representative 
man, being the Delegate-at-large for Polk and Manatee Counties to 
the Constitutional Convention. He has several promising groves, a 
great variety of choice and rare fruits, is a practical experimenter, 
and is largely interested in the lands of this section. 

The SuNNYSiDE Nurseries of Mitchell & Hester, to the extreme 
west, with their choice varieties of oranges, lemons, limes, plums, per- 
simmons, figs, grapes, peaches, mulberries, roses, cedars, arbor vitses, 
etc., besides a few each of plants too numerous to mention, must be 
seen to be fully appreciated. 

Capt. F. A. Whitehead, one of Fort Meade's leading and most 
active and influential citizens, has a delightful residence amid tower- 
ing oaks and a fruitful orange grove, in the heart of the village. He 
also has a variety of pleasing growths, such as Japanese plums and 
persimmons, Peen-To peaches, lemons, limes, pine-apples, strawberries, 
tjananas, mangos, sapadillos, grapes of numerous kinds, flowers in 
great variety, and other things too numerous to mention. He also 
has a large number of acres of the choicest citrus fruits in grove. A 
native of New York City, he has made good use of his thirteen years 
in Florida. Resigning his position in the navy at the close of the 



HOMELAND. 69 

war, he made a thorough acquaintance of California, and has been in 
the fruit and stock business ever since, yet having a farm in Dela- 
ware. He prefers Florida to any State, has large tracts of land 
here and is doing a very extensive real-estate business. 

E. E. Skipper is an extensive dealer in lands, knows the country 
thoroughly, and can suit every taste or condition, as he has every 
variety and price, both unimproved and improved. His faith in the 
country is shown by the fact that he has some 3,000 trees in grove, of 
which about 400 are bearing, some being from twelve to fifteen years 
old. 

R. C. Langford has a very pleasant and productive place in a 
pine and oak clearing about a mile southwest of the postofiice, with 
which he is connected by a private telegraph wire. Here he has a 
superabundance of fruits, vegetables and other farm and garden pro- 
ducts that would astonish those Avho think nothing can be produced in 
Florida. He raises them in his grove year after year. He has choice 
tracts of land all over the country, and makes a business of buying 
and selling lands. 

J. E. Robeson, a practical surveyor and dealer in lands, has been 
thoroughly identified with the interests of Fort Meade since 1872, the 
past eight years being chiefly devoted to surveying and selecting lands. 
He graded large quantities of the Disston and also of the Sir Edward 
Reed lands, and is now devoting his time and knowledge to the benefit 
of the public who are so fortunate as to secure his services. 

Dr. M. O. Arnold, recently from southeastern Iowa, charmed 
by the attractive beauty of the country, located at Fort Meade. Find- 
ing the country very healthful and desiring a broader field, having 
had five years practice in his profession, he has become interested in 
aiding others to secure homes in this delicious land, and many are 
being benefitted by his efforts. He was formerly treasurer of the 
South Florida Land Company, of which Dr. C. C. Mitchell, the pres- 
ent State Commissioner of Lands and Immigration, was president. He 
is now agent for the Florida Land and Improvement Company ; The 
Kissimmee Land Company; The Atlantic and Gulf Coast Canal and 
Okeechobee Land Company, and The Florida Land and Mortgage 
Company (limited). He gives special attention to tracts for coloniza- 
tion, and to town plats for settlement, both large and small. He has 
a tract of 12,000 acres, suitable for towns or colonies, for a nominal 
figure; also, several miles of gulf frontage, in a tropical climate, with 
some very fertile lands, as well as large tracts with fine natural grasses, 
especially suitable for stock ranges. Besides these heavy and desirable 
outlying lands, he has extensive interests at Fort Meade and 
vicinity. 

Dr. C. F. Marsh, recently from Mount Pleasant, Iowa, has a 
high reputation as a skillful practitioner. 

Dr. J. Weems, formerly of Missouri, is also a pleasant and capa- 
ble physician, ranking high in the profession. 

Black & Edwards, real estate agents and civil engineers — J. 
F. Black, of Illinois, and J. A. Edwards, of Alabama — have a good 
line of grove property, town lots and wild lands. They buy and sell 
on commission, give careful attention to surveys and titles, and give 
all possible assistance to those who desire to better health or fortune 



70 HOMELAND. 

by locating on the fertile lands in the delicious climate of Polk 
County. 

James Wynn, a competent builder and contractor, is about to es- 
tablish the saw-mill, which he has purchased, convenient to the town, 
and will furnish lumber and erect buildings at favorable prices. 

Philip Dzialynski has, for a number of years, been promi- 
nently identified with such interests as tended to the development of 
the town, and largely interested in its affairs, during the several stages 
of its growth. 

G. W. Hendry, who became a resident of Fort Meade in 1852, 
being then a stout boy, has written and published an interesting 
descriptive pamphlet of Polk County. When he came, this section 
was occupied by a company of troops at the fort, but there were no 
settlers, unless his elder brother, F. A. Hendry and family, with his 
father-in-law, Louis Lanier and family, who had the first herds of cat- 
tle driven east of Peace River, and were engaged in supplying the 
soldiers with beef, be so considered. Mr. Hendry is and has been 
actively engaged in locating land, having a thorough acquaintance 
with all South Florida, and unquestionable authority. 

* 
THE DEADENING. 

A great natural curiosity, called the " The Deadening " exists at 
and about Fort Meade, covering a tract of country some ten miles or 
more from north to south, and some five or sis miles from east to 
west, being divided by Peace River. When the first settlers came, in 
the fifties, they found the whole tract entirely divested of living 
trees, except along the water courses and on the higher knolls. Lying 
prone on the ground or standing erect, like neglected and forsaken 
sentinels, were the solid remains of what had years before been a 
vigorous growth of pine. 

The cause of this destruction of the trees is utterly unknown. Vari- 
ous theories have been adduced, but none are fully satisfactory. G. W. 
Hendry claims hail to have been the agent of destruction, but this theory 
is untenable from the fact that no hail-storm was ever known to cover 
such an extent of territory, and besides hail-storms are unknown here. 
It will also be noted that the trees on the highest knolls along the 
water courses, and in the lower lands were untouched. Others claim 
high water to have been the cause. The most probable explanation is that 
several wet seasons prevented the usual forest fires, permitting the 
dead grass and leaves of the trees] to accumulate in great abundance. 
Then came a very dry season, fire raged throughout the forest, and its 
intense heat killed the trees. Whatever the cause, the country as- 
sumed the appearance of the Western prairies. Since the first settle- 
ment, vigorous growths of oak and pine are springing up over the 
whole area of these, the choicest of lands, and were it not for the 
ra])idly increasing settlements and groves it would soon be forest 
again. 

LAKELAND. 

One of the radiant gems of South Florida's many new yet rap- 
idly developing towns is Lakeland, the growth of a little more than a 



HOMELAND. 71 

year. It has a fresh, thrifty, prospei'ous and substantial appearance, 
while in every direction are made manifest the evidences of resolute 
vigor and determination. The face of the country is beautifully 
rolling, carpeted with thrifty grasses and covered with vigorous growths 
of oak, pine, etc. At frequent intervals the surface is indented with 
bright jewels in the shape of lovely clear-water lakes of varied form 
and size, wherein are mirrored the beauties of nature ; the form and 
foliage of a thrifty and delightful vegetation, the fleeting clouds, the 
twinkling stars, the soft radiance of Luna, night's resplendent queen, 
or the bright effulgence of Old Sol, the glorious king of day. 

Lakeland is situated near the central part of Peninsular Florida, 
and of the lovely and attractive County of Polk, as well as in the 
higliest, most healthful and delightful portion. The railroad survey 
gives it an elevation of 210 to 217 feet above the sea level. Here is 
found a great and pleasing variety of scenery, some of the deep, clear- 
water lakes with their clean, hard, grass-covered banks, being from 
forty to sixty feet below the higher points of the plateau. They are 
not grassy ponds, but pure, deep-water lakes, Avhose banks afford the 
most delightful and healthful of sites for residences, for lovely homes, 
and they are being appropriated quite rapidly. There are nine of 
these attractive sheets of water within a radius of a mile of the town, 
almost entirely free from mud and marsh, and abounding in fish, 
giving delightful opportunities for recreation, as they are situated in 
every direction from the centre. They also give delightful views, 
and the air passing over them is imbued with an inspiriting freshness. 

The surface soil is varied, none being below the average, while a 
peculiar feature of the soil on some of the elevations is that it is 
almost as rich as hammock, and preferable for many reasons. Fruits 
and vegetables thrive and yield magnificent returns. At a depth of 
two to eight feet, and outcropping at some places, is a sub-soil of yel- 
low clay. The water is excellent. 

The beautiful forests, are fast disappearing and in their place are 
scores of handsome and substantial buildings, thrifty groves and 
cultivated fields. Everywhere is heard the ceaseless hum of busy 
industry, transforming the face of nature. The South Florida Rail- 
road passes through the incipient city from east to Avest and the 
Florida Southern coming from the north here forms a junction with 
it. The expectation is that it will soon be extended to Charlotte 
Harbor on the south. 

Section 18, Township 28 south. Range 24 east, is the centre of 
the corporation, which also embraces portions of Sections 7 and 
19 in the same Township and Range, all of Section 13 and parts 
of 12 and 24 in Township 28, Range 23, thus embracing two whole 
sections and parts of four others, and that, too, in one of the most 
delightful, agreeable and satisfactory parts of Florida, as regards 
deliciousness of climate, healthfulness of location, excellence of water, 
freedom from insect and other pests, general fertility and productive- 
ness of soil, exemption from destructive frosts and freezes, genial 
breezes and salubrity of atmosphere, excellence of society, active, 
enthusiastic and vigorous energy of the rapidly-increasing popula- 
tion, handsome and substantial character of business edifices and 
private residences, ease and facility of communication with other parts. 



72 HOMELAND. 

by railroads, telegraph, etc., and numerous other attractions that will 
suggest themselves to the visitor. 

Lakeland is regularly laid out, with broad streets crossing each 
other at right-angles. In the centre is a park of three acres, that is 
to be adorned with trees, shrubbery, etc. To the north of this is the 
elegant depot of the South Florida Railroad. Around this double 
square, the town, which was incorporated January 1st, 1885, is rapidly 
assuming an undeniable substantiability, about two hundred buildings 
having already been constructed, while more are under contract, yet 
in February, 1884, there was only one rough frame building and two 
log shanties for the railroad hands. Now there are several fine hotels, 
numerous general merchandise stores, hardware, feed and drug stores, 
restaurants, boarding houses, pool-rooms, express, telegraph and post- 
offices, saw and planing mills, shoemaker's shop, livery stable, milli- 
nery, gent's and ladies' furnishing goods, real estate and other offices, 
in fact the usual variety of avocations of some six hundred inhabi- 
tants. Also, well conducted schools, churches, etc., and a wide-awake 
newspaper, the Lakeland News, L. M. Ballard, Editor and Proprietor. 
He is also the proprietor of the North-Side Hotel. 

Prominent among the real estate agents, with handsome and 
convenient offices centrally located, are Green & Munn, Torrence & 
Bristow, Scott & Roquemore, who will furnish all desired information 
regarding lands in this vicinity and other parts, of South Florida. 

Newman & Co. have a pleasant store and a fine stock of gent's 
and ladies' furnishing goods, boots and shoes, notions, etc. 

O. J. Frier has an extensive and well selected stock of general 
merchandise, at satisfactory prices. 

W. B. BoNAKER, dealer in general merchandise, endeavors to 
meet every demand in that direction, at prices to suit. 

S. L. & H. J. Drane, druggists and apothecaries, are well pre- 
pared to fill any demands in their line. 

Society is decidely intellectual and progressive here, as is shown by 
the excellent schools, the several religious" and other societies, the 
Methodists, Baptists and Presbyterians all having organized and ener- 
getic societies, while the schools are well sustained, and very prosper- 
ous under the management of capable teachers. 

Town lots sell for from $50 to $1,000, according to size and loca- 
tion, Avhile outlying lands are from $2.50 to $100 per acre, according 
to distance from the centre, quality, and desirability of location. 

The vigorous growth and advantages of Lakeland and Polk 
County have been well shown by the enterprising real-estate agents, 
Torrence & Bristow, who last year j^ublished an excellent pamphlet 
that had a wide circulation, and gave much desired information. 



ACTON. 

This progressive and thriving headquarters of enterprising En- 
glishmen owes its existence to the energy of Piers Elliot Warburton, 
Esq., who formerly held the honorable rank of Lieutenant in the En- 
glish navy. Mr. R. W. Hanbury, an Englishman of large estates 
and income, is the largest property owner. This is to be an English 



HOMELAND. 73 

headquarters. Here is located the Florida Mortgage and Investment 
Company, limited, Mr. Warburton, being the manager, that has 
unlimited amounts to loan on security, at reasonable rates of interest. 

Acton is located on the South Florida Railroad, half way between 
'Kissimmee and Tampa, and one mile east of Lakeland. The town 
site is quite level, extending between Lakes Bonnie and Parker, two 
very attractive sheets of water. The streets run from east to west and 
are crossed by avenues from north to south. Here are very complete 
saw and planing mills, a hotel and several boarding houses, general 
merchandise stores, a $2,500 school-house, a post-office and depot, a 
real estate agency, Mr. Warburton's loan office, and quite a number 
of pleasant and attractive dwellings, and contracts made for a number 
of other elegant and substantial structures, the terms offered being 
very favorable. 

C. H. Alleyne & Co. (limited) have a very fine new office op- 
posite the depot, do a veuy extensive real estate business, and furnish 
and desired information respecting Acton and other parts of South 
Florida. 

HAINES CITY. 

The vigor of the growth of Polk County is well shown by the 
numbers of busy towns that are springing into existence, in the most 
favorable and delightful of locations and now that this section is well 
provided with railroads, which are being rapidly extended, its devel- 
opment is onejto greatly exceed anything heretofore seen in Florida. 

Haines City is no chance growth, but the result of the deliberate 
premeditation of several of the most active and far-seeing men, whose 
influence is felt throughout the State in its development. It is located 
on the South Florida Railroad, about half way between Sanford and 
Tamjsa, the town plat occupying the east half of Section 29, Town- 
ship 27, Range 27, it being in the beautiful Lake Region of Polk 
County. The elevation of the railroad bed here is 210 feet, which is 
claimed to be the highest on the line from Sanford to Tampa. The 
country is rolling and interspersed with beautiful lakes and airy, delight- 
ful elevations, from forty to sixty feet above their pure crystal waters, 
affording very favorable sites for sanitariums, residences, etc. 

The prevalent growth is pine, interspersed with large quantities of 
live, water, willow, post and other oaks, while along the lake shores 
are frequent hickories. India rubber and paw-paw trees are also found 
growing wild, proving conclusively that severe frosts or freezes have 
had no place here. The ground is covered with a dense growth of 
grass, the timber is very thrifty, and the soil in many places is of a 
hocolate color, underlaid with the yellow subsoil so necessary to the 
best development of the orange and other citrus fruits. It is under- 
laid with clay. In fact, all kinds of vegetation thrive here. 

The town was laid out last January, by Frank J. Hinson, a man 
of thorough experience, who is now the resident agent and manager. 
Harrison Jones, who has had eighteen years experience in four of the 
counties of Florida, also has extensive interests here, where he has 
made his home, greatly prefering it to all other localities. 

Haines City is building up very rapidly, the advantages of the 
location becoming readily apparent to any one who will take the 



74 HOMELAND. 

trouble to investigate. Lands can be secured at very reasonable 
prices, and are being taken quite rapidly. 

Though so short a time has elapsed since the survey, there is 
already a post-office, a hotel, a saw and planing mill, general mer- 
chandise stores, boarding houses and elegant cottages. Building and 
clearing is the order of the day, Quite a number of families have 
already located in this desirable and healthful location, and a public 
fichool is to be opened in the autumn. The opportunities for boating, 
fishing, hunting, gardening, or making a fortune, are most excellent, 
while the lake views are delightful. 

In addition to the incorporated towns mentioned, there are many 
localities throughout Polk County where a beginning has been made, 
as well as numerous others yet unheard of, that will no doubt soon 
assume importance. Each section has its own special advantages that 
can be best determined by personal observation. The people of Polk 
O^unty are content, feeling assured that of" all localities they possess 
the most superior advantages. 



POLK COUNTY'S FERTILE RIDGE. 



A RIDE THROUGH THE BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY ALONG 

PEACE CREEK. 



[Special Correspondence Florida Times- Union.] 



Fort Meade, June 20, 18'^5. 

Thinking that a few words regarding this section of rapidly-developing 
South Florida might be acceptable to the thousands of your readers in 
various parts of the Union, I contribute my mite for their benefit. Your 
valuable journal is not only a recognized authority in regard to matters in 
all parts of the State, but it is also a very important factor in aid of the 
remarkable progress that is being made. It is, in fact, a necessity to all 
who desire correct knowledge regarding the capabilities, advantages and 
progress of the varied sections of this great State, destined, ere long, to be 
one of the most wealthy and prosperous States in the galaxy of the Union. 
This is to be a land of lovely and attractive homes, as well as the chief 
resort of the invalid and tourist. 

Leaving the busy cars of the South Florida Railroad, and bidding adieu 
to Captain Badeau, the genial and accommodating conductor of the branch, 
road, at Bartow, I take a look about the pleasant and fast-growing town. 
Its streets are wide and cross each other at right-angles. Numerous new 
buildings, completed or in progress, are seen in every direction. The fine 
court-house, the most attractive and commodious in South Florida, arrests 
our attention. It is situated on a commanding rise of ground, the centre 
of the business portion of the progressive town. The square acre that 
surrounds it is inclosed with a row of live-oak posts, painted red, through 
which cable chains are run. Sixteen feet within is a neat picket fence, 
painted white. The court-house roof, with its four gables, has just been 
covered w ith cypress shingles and painted a dark red. 

But the most attractive feature of the town, not excepting the indica- 
tions of solid progress, evidenced by the numerous new buildings, is to be 
found in the beautiful oaks, that greet the view in every direction, and 
aftbrd such delicious shade. They even enhance the feeling of sure solidity 
that is derived from the firm tread of the ground, which is quite in contrast 
with many other sections. 

But it is dinner time, and at half past one, P. M., the demands of the 
inner man override, if not suppress, the desire to indulge in contempla- 
tions of the beautiful. An abundant and toothsome meal, wherein home- 
grown vegetables play an important part, neatly-served and well-cooked, 
is secured at the Bartow House, and I devote the balance of the day to 
observation and reflection on the many advantages that this section aflbrds 
to enterprising men from all sections of the Union, and especially to men 
of moderate means with families. 

Here I find an extensive tract of fertile pine and oak lands, and learn 
that the settlers have been self-supporting from the very first. The South 
Florida Railroad now has its terminus here, to the southeast, and a survey 
of the Florida Southern runs through the corporation, just to the west of 
the centre of this attractive capital of Polk County. 

During the evening it was my good fortune to make the acquaintance 
of Dr. C. C. Mitchell, a distinguished resident of Fort Meade, who has 
been very appropriately appointed as Commissioner of Land and Immi- 
gration, by our able and clear-headed Governor, General Perry. The 



76 HOMELAND. 

result of our interchange of ideas was an earnest and courteous Invitation 
to visit that noted section of balmy Florida, of which I had heard mucli 
but had seen nothing. Cancelling some other engagements, I cheerfully- 
accepted the proposition, and early the next morning we were whirling 
rapidly to the southward. 

The genial doctor is a good judge of horse flesh, and drives an excellent 
team. The country through which we sped was a surprise, it was so differ- 
ent from many other sections that I had visited. The roads were hard and 
firm, and as easily traveled as those at the North. There was an absence 
of deep sand and of annoying dust. New buildings, some of them of an ele- 
gant character, were seen on either hand ; also, many a beautiful orange 
grove, whose thrifty growth and exceptionally dark green leaves, be- 
tokened a fertile and productive soil. Promising fields of vigorous corn 
are quite numerous, indicating that the people are inclined to raise their 
own supplies, and not put all their trust in the orange crop, not at least 
until a railroad should be extended from Bartow or Lakeland, to give them 
better facilities for transportation and ready access to Northern markets. 

The general aspect of the country was very pleasing and attractive, 
making a very satisfactory impression on the mind of the visitor. It may 
be described as a broad plateau of fertile and productive lands, extending 
some three miles west of Peace River, from Bartow to Fort Meade, and a 
few miles beyond to the north and to the south. The surface is generally 
undulating in broad swells, with here and there a handsome knoll that 
would furnish an exceptionally pleasant and salubrious building site. 
Numbers of them are so occupied, and pleasant homes with luxuriant 
groves of orange trees, laden with abundant promise of the golden fruit, 
as well as varied farm crops, the most notable of which are thrifty corn, 
pease and sugar-cane, occupy occasional clearings. 

The forest growth, away from the river bank, is chiefly pin^, inter- 
spersed here and there with wide-branching live oaks that, with the firm 
tread of the ground, gives an impression of substantial and enduring sta- 
bility. There are also many water oaks, whose thrifty and vigorous 
growths give a delicious shade that is highly appreciated, especially by 
visitors from the North and West. Post or willow oaks are also Vjuite 
numerous, and attain a greater size than in many other parts of Florida. 
Here, too, the haw becomes a handsome tree, instead of a bush by the 
wayside. The wild persimmon is also abundant. 

As thegeniali and thoroughly-informed doctor and myself speed over 
the country, by the west road, known as Broadwaj% as we leave Bartow, we 
make occasional detours to the right or to the left, either bodily or mentally, 
by the doctoi-'s intelligent and far-reaching descriptions, intermingled with 
scraps of history or personal adventure. 

The population is very much scattered, every settler evidently endeav- 
oring to secure all the elbow room possible, that there might be no danger 
of conflicting interests and consequent animosity. Though since the first 
settlement of this section, in the fifties, some thirty or more years since, the 
people have raised considerable quantities of corn, pease, sweet potatoes, 
rice and sugar-cane for domestic use, as well as some cotton for shipment 
their chief wealth has been in their fine herds of cattle and countless swine, 
which are here of much more pleasing form and quality than in the tier of 
counties to the north. Here, the shafts of wit leveled at the " razor-backs," 
the "pine-rooters," the destructive and remorseless vagrants of other sec- 
tions that have all the worst characteristics of the creatures by courtesy 
called " hogs," have no place. They appear to be of good form.' sleek and 
fat, and evidently do not have to root very hard or persistently for a living. 
The hog here, undoubtedly, has found his paradise, the abundance of mast 
from the numerous oaks and the esculent roots, found in the lower lands 
and along the courses of the numerous running streams that wend their 
way to Peace River, supplying them with an abundance of nutritious food. 

The water courses are quite numerous, flowing from the flat woods of 
the west, and serving as natviral drains to the section between them and 
Peace River. These creeks break the plateau along the river into ridges 
and give a great and pleasing variety to land and landscape, which give an 
attractive homeland character to people from the North, making them feel 
much more at home than is possible in unbroken tracts of strictl.y pine 
country. 

In valleys along the banks of these creeks, and beyond, are magnificent 
and enduring live oaks, choice sweet-gums, majestic cypress, cabbage 
palm, beautiful water oaks, attractive maples, wild sour orange, black- 



HOMELAND. 77 

gums, turkey oaks, tall and sturdy hickories, sweet bays, magnolias, white- 
wood, haw, persimmon, abundance of beautiful pines, wild cherry, and quite 
a number of other forest growths. There are also numerous vigorous and 
thrifty climbing vines and creepers, a great variety of shrubs, wild plants, 
weeds, etc.; in fact the natural productions of all the zones, except the frigid, 
seem to have centered here. The countrj^ is very pleasing, but quite unlike 
either the pine or hammock sections of other parts of Florida, and people 
from all portions of the country can here find particular attractions. The 
slopes of the valleys gave me especial pleasure. 

Reaching Dr. Mitchell's pleasant residence, on the west of the village, 
we found his men busy in the branches of a wide-spreading oak that overhung 
the yard, brushing a swarm of bees off a large limb, and cooling down their ag- 
gressiveness of disposition with a plentiful supply of fresh water. But an 
excellent dinner was ready for serving, and I will defer remarks upon his 
fine groves of orange trees and his many acres of nursery, wherein are 
growing not only orange and lemon trees, ready for transplanting, but also 
thousands of roses and a great variety of small fruits, shrubs, grasses, etc. 
In fact, I understand that the intention is to grow every species that may 
prove to be desirable or useful, and I shall watch the progress of the ex- 
periments with great interest, as it may be the means* of adding many 
thousands of dollars to the value of the annual productions of this delight- 
ful land. "Sherman." 



HISTORY OF ORANGE CULTURE IN FLORIDA. 



BY REV. T. W. MOORE, D. D. 



Some time before the discovery of America, the sour orauge — the brig- 
erade — was introduced into Italy, and a short time thereafter it was carried 
to Spain. The Spaniards brought this variety to Florida. The sweet 
orange was then unknown in Europe. Doubtless the Spanish Catholic mis- 
sionaries lirst distributed the seed of the brigerade — frequently called the 
Seville — orange in the vicinities of the Spanish forts and missions. As the 
truit multiplied, the seeds were scattered by the Indians along the banks 
of the rivers, near their camping grounds, usually points projecting into 
the rivers. Thence they were scattered throughout the State of Florida. 

The largest of those wild orange groves, twenty and tifty years ago, 
were found along the eastern and southern shores of rivers and lakes, and 
in the hammock and swamp lands of Florida. In addition to the protection 
from damage by the frosts to the young plants atiorded by 
the water, the hammock and swamp lands gave protection 
against fires, which annually swept over the pine woods, destroying the 
slow-growing trees. Some of these wild groves were, fifty years ago, cut 
down and the land cleared for planting corn, cotton and cane. This was 
repeated as late as twenty-five years ago, before the monetary value of the 
orang9 was appreciated in this country. 

One hundred years after America was discovered, the sweet orange was 
introduced into Europe. Later it was brought to Florida, and a few trees 
were planted in St. Augustine, and afterwards in the settlements along the 
St. Johns and Indian Rivers. The pollen of the sweet orange fertilizing 
the flowers of the sour, produced the hybrid "bitter-sweet." At the 
close of the civil war small plantations of sweet oranges were found 
throughout the State ; consisting usually of a few trees growing around 
dwellings. There were a few groves of larger size, ranging from four 
hundred trees to nine hundred, in the vicinity of St. Augustine and along 
the St. Johns River. The largest in the State was planted by Dr. Speer, at 
Fort Reed, near Mellonville, and the Dummitt grove on Indian River. 

About the time Dr. Speer planted his grove quite an interest in orange 
growing sprang up in Florida and many groves were planted along the 
banks of the St. Johns. But in an evil hour fresh plants of the orange 
from China were introduced and planted at Mandarin. They were infected 
with the scale insect. The trees in the vicinity of Mandarin were the first 
to be destroyed by the insect. At that time the hundred and one natural 
enemies of the Scale insect had not come to the rescue of the orange grower 
as now ; besides, the orange grower of that time did not know of modern 
appliances and remedies. The scale spread from grove to grove, and in a 
short time sweet and sour orange trees yielded to the invading host of the 
foreign enemy. The frost of 1835 having cut down the trees, from the 
effect of which the old trees were beginning to recover when the scale 
commenced its ravages, combined to produce the impression among the old 
settlers that the orange prospect was forever blasted. 

At the close of the war, many of the old trees, both sweet and wild, had 
recovered from the ett'eets of both insects and frost, and were bearing lib- 
eral crops of such fruit as travelers from all parts of the world had never 
before eaten. The fruit sold at good prices. Some of those who had lately 
come into the State thought there was a living in an orange grove. Land 
was bought and planted in wild sour stumps. Seed beds were planted for 
nursery stock and acres were set with young plants. We were told that 
by the time our trees were ready to bear we would be in another country 
where there would be no need of planting. We answered, then we would 



HOMELAND. 79^ 

plant for our children. We were told that by the time the trees were in full 
bearing oranges would not be worth picking in Florida. Though some of 
us were threatened with the lunatic asylum, we still persisted in planting 
and cultivating the orange. The evil prophecy failed. Other persona 
caught the orange fever, until finally the old prophets were converted and 
are to-day our most enthusiastic orange growers. To-day hundreds of 
thousands of trees are growing, and tens of thousands more of plants are 
ready to be set in groves. 

WILL THE BUSINESS BE OVERDONE? 

The question now comes up, will not the business be overdone ? We 
answer no. With the small area within the United States capable of pro- 
ducing oranges this will be impossible. Canada and the United States are 
rapidly increasing in population and these alone could consume the entire 
product from the orange-growing sections of the United States. But the 
Florida orange is the finest grown and will ultimately command the mar- 
kets, of Europe as well as America. 

Occasionally already a glut in the market has occurred, but this has 
been in each instance the result of (mainly) a double fault of the producers. 
They have attempted to narrow the marketing season to three or four 
months, when it should be extended over from eight to twelve months. 
Oranges will remain on the trees in good condition six months after they 
have turned yellow. Properly handled and cured they will keep several 
months after they have been clipped. The Florida season for marketing, 
like the European, should embrace the entire year. The second mistake to 
which allusion is made was the result of the destructive hurry peculiar to 
Americans. The fruit was gathered green, carelessly handled, packed with- 
out being properly cased, much of it infested with fungi and then gathered, 
packed and shipped, through all sorts of weather. Such fruit rapidly 
spoiled. Careless handling of transportation companies added to the dis- 
aster, and hence the merchants had to sell what sound fruit might reach them 
at low prices or throw it away. 

Orange culture will pay beyond any other agricultural pursuit, even 
should the price fall to 75 cents per box. When reduced to that price fifty 
million boxes would not over-supply the present population of the United 
States and Canada. There are thirty States producing apples and peaches, 
and yet both these crops, which have to be marketed within a few weeks or 
months, are grown with profit. With such facts before us, we have no fear 
as to the over-production of the orange. 

A FASCINATING VOCATION. 

To those engaged in the business, orange growing is truly fascinating. 
The beauty of the tree, the beauty and fragrance of the flower, challenge all 
rivalry among ornamental trees and beautiful flowers. The aesthetic culti- 
vator becomes a true lover of his sweet and beautiful pet, which he looks 
upon as a relic and reminder of paradise. But when this beauty is accom- 
panied with useful, golden and gold-bearing fruit, aff"ording a living, and 
promising all other material luxuries, then the lover appreciates his orange 
grove only less than he appreciates his wife, who has brought to him not 
only the accomplishments of a sweet and cultivated woman, but with her- 
self an ample fortune. And though he may have waited as long as Jacob 
did for his Rachel, he does not regret the toil and waiting since the reward 
is ample. I do not know but that the toil and waiting demanded by the 
orange do3s not increase the ardor of the planter, and increase his pleasure 
when once the tree has been brought to full beauty and bearing, for we 
love best those that need to be courted earnestly in order to be won. When 
thus won Ave feel that the bride is the more fully our own. 

HOW TO GROW THE ORANGE. 

Does the reader wish to know how to win this fair bride, clad in nature's 
richest green, adorned with golden globes, crowned with fragrant orange 
blossoms — her own fair crown, so often plucked for other bridal wreaths ? 
Did space permit in this full sheet of the Times- Union, further writing 
would not be necessary, for are not all these things written in the books 
of the chronicles of many writers on "Orange Culture" from Maine to 
Texas? These have all written you about the seed-bed, the nursery, the; 
planting, suitable locations, the gathering and the shipping. 



80 HOMELAND. 

THE QUANTITY OF ORANGES SHIPPED 

the past season was about six hundred thousand boxes ; the present year 
the crop may reach a million boxes. The crop of 1868 only reached a few 
thousand packages, and had so slow a sale that it had to be extended to as late 
as May to find buyers. The price prevailing at that time was $7.50 per 
thousand. The price has gone up with the production. During next May, 
if they can be found outside of New York, the Florida orange will sell for 
not less than $4.50 to $5 per box. 

THE FLORIDA TRADE MARK. 

The excellence of the Florida oi-ange is now so generally known that 
many other oranges are sold under that name. The writer knows no way 
to avoid this imposition except to stamp each orange gx'own in Florida 
with the inimitable Florida trade mark. No other country has yet pro- 
duced the russet. The brown tinge mars the beautiful golden color, but it 
makes the orange bearing this stamp all.the sweeter, and, like Csesar's wife, 
above suspicion. Nature has thus given us an impost protection against 
foreign competition, which the Government cannot take off. What goddess 
or nymph was it that covered herself with soil to save herself from vio- 
lence? Sh« was the sweeter and safer because of her soiled exterior. So 
with the orange. The dingy russet is best. 

— Exposition Number Florida Times-Union. 



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